Dorcas responds with emergency assistance as conflict forces thousands to flee in Ethiopia

Reading time: three minutes.

For more than five years, the western parts of Ethiopia, particularly the Wollega area, have faced persistent conflict. On 6 June 2025, violence flared once again in the border villages of East Wollega and Benishangul Gumuz, where clashes between the UAGs (Unidentified Armed Groups) forced thousands to flee their homes. In just one day, more than 11,000 people were displaced, with the unrest quickly spreading to neighbouring communities and pushing the total number of newly displaced to over 22,000. 

The crisis has left families seeking refuge in towns such as Angar under extremely difficult conditions, especially during the rainy season. Urgent humanitarian needs include shelter, food, clean water, and protection, with many people living in overcrowded temporary shelters or public buildings. Health risks are rising due to shortages of essential medicines and limited access to care, while children, women, and older people face heightened vulnerability. 

Emergency response by Dorcas 

Dorcas Ethiopia is launching a rapid emergency project through our project office to provide immediate support to families who have been forced to flee conflict. The project will provide 1,000 internally displaced households with unrestricted cash assistance for two consecutive months, giving them the flexibility to decide how to meet their most urgent basic needs. Priority will be given to households in the most vulnerable circumstances, including those headed by women, older people, people with disabilities, and households affected by chronic illness. 

Dorcas will actively engage with displaced community members by holding community engagement sessions to explain the programme’s objectives, and by listening carefully to feedback through established channels. This ensures that assistance remains transparent and accountable. We will continue to play an active role in local coordination platforms alongside government bodies, UN agencies, and humanitarian partners. This will strengthen other responses and contribute to wider resilience in the region. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Improved food security and nutritional health for 1,000 displaced households. 

• Greater economic stability, reducing financial stress and enabling families to meet essential needs while supporting local markets. 

• Strengthened collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian partners, enhancing coordination in the wider response. 

By addressing the shortfall caused by recent funding cuts, this project will deliver essential life-saving support. Dorcas Ethiopia remains committed to providing long-term support to communities facing hardship in one of the country’s most challenging contexts. 

15 September 2025