Rising instances of severe infant hunger and malaria are increasingly straining humanitarian facilities in southwestern Ethiopia, an area currently hosting thousands of refugees. The situation has been exacerbated by recent funding cuts, which have forced many essential nutrition and disease prevention programs to close. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) issued a warning highlighting a staggering 55 percent rise in child admissions to its feeding center at the Kule refugee camp in Ethiopia’s Gambella region, with many affected infants originating from nearby camps.
The decrease in financial support has led to the suspension of nutrition services in four out of seven refugee camps in the region, placing approximately 80,000 children under the age of five at risk of life-threatening malnutrition. Ethiopia, home to around 130 million people, is currently facing armed conflicts in some of its largest regions, which further complicates the humanitarian response. The Gambella region borders South Sudan, a country also experiencing increased violence and significant reductions in international aid needed to sustain healthcare systems.
The refugee population in southwestern Gambella has reached nearly 400,000, with many individuals seeking safety from the tumultuous conditions in South Sudan. Patient visits to the Kule camp have surged nearly 60 percent compared to the previous year, indicating an urgent need for resources. Armand Dirks, MSF’s project coordinator in Gambella, expressed concern about the escalating number of patients and anticipated the trend would continue as the situation evolves.
Nyauahial Puoch, a mother who traveled approximately eight kilometers to obtain treatment for her 17-month-old daughter suffering from malnutrition, reported a marked decline in the availability of food supplies over the past year. Despite receiving monthly food distribution, she indicated that provisions consistently run out before the month concludes.
Funding reductions have also jeopardized vital disease prevention efforts, particularly those targeting malaria. MSF has observed an alarming 125 percent spike in malaria cases since June, with nearly 24,000 individuals diagnosed; half of them are refugees from neighboring camps. Birhanu Sahile, MSF’s deputy medical coordinator, noted that such conditions amplify the risks faced by vulnerable refugee populations, particularly given their exposure to disease-carrying mosquitoes amid overcrowded living situations and inadequate sanitation facilities.
The situation in Ethiopia underscores the urgent need for renewed support and funding to address these growing humanitarian challenges. As the region grapples with mounting pressures, the resilience of its communities remains evident, as they continue to seek stability and well-being for their families.
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