ADDIS ABABA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations migration agency has appealed for urgent assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of displaced people in Ethiopia.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned in a report released Wednesday that the response to displaced people is facing a critical crisis, with newly displaced families left unassisted, while existing shelter conditions rapidly deteriorate.
"Across displacement sites, while humanitarian access remains relatively fluid, displaced households continue to lack access to essential non-food items, including bedding, cooking sets, and basic household materials, due to limited resources and coverage," the report said.
According to the report, over the past four months alone, some 154,807 people have been newly displaced, "yet very few have received emergency shelter or other non-food items support, leaving families exposed and unprotected."
It warned that the "severe gaps" in response capacity directly impact the health, safety, and dignity of displaced families, particularly those living in collective centers, informal sites, and dispersed settlements.
"With the response capacity critically limited, immediate action from donors and partners is essential to prevent further deterioration in shelter conditions and to protect displaced families across Ethiopia," it added. ■