EthiopiaThe United States is set to resume food aid deliveries to Ethiopia next month after a temporary pause due to theft concerns. The decision comes following comprehensive reforms and ongoing efforts to address the country’s deepening food crisis, which has been exacerbated by the conflict in the Tigray region and severe drought in the Horn of Africa.
USAID, the US Agency for International Development, has committed to a one-year trial period for the nationwide resumption of food aid. During this time, they will closely monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the reforms implemented by USAID, its partners, and the Ethiopian government.
Earlier this year, USAID suspended food aid to Ethiopia due to reports of theft of donated supplies. Last month, they resumed food assistance to refugees in the country, impacting numerous refugee sites but not those in Tigray, where a two-year conflict had resulted in widespread suffering and famine-like conditions.
The decision to resume food aid nationwide follows extensive diplomatic engagement and substantial reforms in the food assistance structure in Ethiopia, as well as improved cooperation between the government and humanitarian partners. These reforms will significantly alter Ethiopia’s food aid system, with a focus on strengthening program monitoring, oversight, and commodity tracking.
Additionally, the Ethiopian government has agreed to operational changes in collaboration with humanitarian partners to enhance beneficiary identification. They have also committed to providing unrestricted access for USAID and third-party monitors to review sites across the country.
USAID emphasizes its commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable and saves lives. Given the significant number of people in need of food assistance in Ethiopia, these reforms are seen as a positive step toward effectively delivering aid to those who require it the most.
