The Norwegian Refugee Council has denounced that Ethiopia is at the center of one of the ''fastest growing displacement crises in the world'' due to violence with an estimated 978,000 people who were forced to flee their homes since mid-April.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has reported that increasing violence between communities in the regions of western Guji and Gedeo, in Ethiopia, has forced an estimated 978,000 people to flee their homes since April 13.
''This surge in violence makes Ethiopia one of the fastest growing displacement crises in the world today. Despite this, it is utterly failing to get the attention and funding it deserves'', said Nigel Tricks, Regional Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Appeal for more international support
The organization reported in a statement that 793,000 people were displaced in Gedeo zone and at least 185,000 people in West Guji zone. New waves of insecurity have hindered efforts by the government to support displaced people to return home, according to the organization. The massive influx in a relatively short period of time has created a grave humanitarian crisis, it said.
The Ethiopian government and host communities have provided the majority of relief to affected communities so far, but the NRC said more support is required as needs rise. ''This crisis also adds to millions of people in need of food and other assistance due to successive years of drought'', the statement noted.
The organization's teams reported people in dire conditions, who urgently need relief including food, water, shelter and household items. It plans to provide emergency shelter, household items, water and sanitation support to 21,000 people.
Increasing violence at the beginning of June
Insecurity and inter-community violence are continuing to force entire communities to move with a significant increase in violence since the start of June, according to the United Nations. This has prevented displaced people from returning home and humanitarian aid from reaching those in need.
''While the government is supporting as much as it can, the international community must do more to save lives in Ethiopia. It must step up aid so that immediate food, water and shelter can be provided, and the intense suffering of the displaced people can be relieved, while the government finds longer-term political and humanitarian solutions to the conflict'', warned Nigel Tricks.
Humanitarian agencies expressed concern that the situation will worsen, exposing already vulnerable communities to water-borne illnesses like malaria and diarrhea.