UN Welcomes Japan’s US$15 Million Contribution to Humanitarian and Development Efforts in Ethiopia

This funding will bolster the UN’s efforts to support Ethiopia in responding to humanitarian challenges, strengthening resilience, and fostering sustainable development. Through this strategic partnership, Japan reaffirms its commitment to international solidarity and sustainable solutions for communities in need in Ethiopia.

The package consists of two components. The first, valued at US$7.7 million, focuses on humanitarian and development assistance. It aims to address the critical needs identified in Ethiopia’s Humanitarian Response Plan, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the Resilient, Recovery, and Reconstruction Framework (3RF), and priorities outlined during the High-Level Development Forum (HLDF) held in March 2024. This initiative will be implemented in collaboration with IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMAS, UNOCHA, WHO, and Education Cannot Wait (ECW).

The second component, amounting to US$7.3 million, will drive collaborative projects, leveraging Japanese innovation and technology ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). These initiatives are designed to tackle pressing economic and social challenges, such as infrastructure development, women and youth empowerment, and sustainable urbanization. The projects will be carried out in collaboration with UNDP, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UNESCO’s International Institute for Capacity-Building in Africa (IICBA), and WFP.

“I thank the government and people of Japan for their unwavering generosity and steadfast commitment to Ethiopia. Their support, alongside a strengthened partnership with the United Nations, is vital in addressing the country’s urgent humanitarian needs and long-term development challenges,” said Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia.

“Japan’s contributions have been instrumental in addressing critical humanitarian challenges, building resilience, and advancing sustainable development across the country. Japan’s partnership underscores a shared commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable and fostering sustainable solutions in Ethiopia,” said Dr. Alakbarov.

For media inquiries, contact:
Getachew Dibaba, Communications Officer, UN Ethiopia
Email: Getachew.Dibaba@un.org   Phone:  +251-911-12-52-01

Editor’s Notes:

• TICAD 9: The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is a multilateral forum initiated by Japan and co-hosted by the United Nations, the World Bank and the African Union Commission, to promote economic development, peace and security in Africa. The TICAD 9 summit is scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 August 2025, under the theme "Co-create innovative solutions with Africa". 
• For further details, please refer to the Annex:

ANNEX: The breakdown of the funding and key programs under both the humanitarian assistance and TICAD 9 packages is as follows:

1. Humanitarian Response Package: In line with this framework, Japan will grant for the following projects.

• IOM will receive USD 500,000 for improve living conditions in woredas of Dire Dawa city, which have been severely affected by the influx of IDPs, including the spread of infectious diseases, by developing WASH and primary health services and providing MHPSS and protection assistance.
• UNDP will receive USD 1 million for advancing community empowerment for the immediate and sustainable reintegration and strengthening the role of women in economic, social and peacebuilding activities in Tigray and Amhara regions.
• UNFPA will receive USD 500,000 for enhancing access to services and information on SHR and GBV and improving the health, welfare and protection of women and girls affected by emergency in Somali region.
• UNHCR will receive USD 2 million for providing primary healthcare services and WASH services to the Sudanese refugees and the host communities in Aftit refugee camp in Amhara region and Ula refugee camp in Benishangul Gumuz region.
• UNIDO will receive USD 225,000 for promoting the creation of employment opportunities through the vocational training for women, youth and vulnerable in Tigray who have faced natural disasters and conflicts.
• UNMAS will receive USD 750,000 to continue efforts to minimize the explosive ordnance threat to humanitarian partners delivering aid to communities in Tigray and Afar regions and enhance the capacity of the Ethiopian Mine Action Office to manage the mine action sector.
• UNOCHA will receive USD 200,000 to support coordinated humanitarian efforts and deliver life-saving assistance to those who need it most.
• WHO will receive USD 1.5 million for improving access to essential healthcare services and strengthening response to disease outbreaks in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Oromia, Somali, South and Central Ethiopia, Southwest and Tigray regions.
• Education Cannot Wait (ECW) will USD 1 million for providing education opportunities for children who lose their opportunities due to climate change and conflict/violence to access safe and good quality education again in Oromia region.

2. TICAD 9 Package: In line with the TICAD9’s concept of “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa”, Japan will grant for the following projects.

• UNDP will receive USD 1 million for introducing the e-voucher system with cooperation of NEC Corporation for distributing relief items in crisis recovery projects in Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.
• UNFPA will receive USD 1.5 million for social and economic empowerment of vulnerable women and girls in conflict and natural disaster affected areas of the Amhara and Tigray regions in Ethiopia in partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Bé-A Japan. 
• UN-Habitat will receive USD 1 million for improving waste management in Dire Dawa city, to improve public health and promote environmental sustainability through best-practice of the Fukuoka landfill management method.
• UNICEF will receive USD 2.32 million for improving access to basic and safely managed sanitation to prevent outbreaks of WASH-related diseases with Sato Pans from LIXIL Corporation and RapidPro with support from Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC in conflict-affected populations in Amhara and Tigray regions.
• UNESCO-IICBA will receive USD 1 million for addressing the growing skills and professional development gaps among teachers in Ethiopia's conflict and crisis-affected areas through digital means.
• WFP will receive USD 1.5 million to empower farmers to make informed decisions, optimise resources, and increase yields while mitigating risks by providing real-time data analysed using NEC Corporation’s CropScope on soil health, moisture levels, and weather patterns in Somali region.