ETHIOPIA Humanitarian Access Situation Report July - September 2020

Home , Agarfa, Arero, Arsi Negele (woreda), Bishoftu, Bora (woreda), East Shewa Zone

This report is produced by OCHA Ethiopia in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period July to September 2020. The next report will be issued in December 2020.

Highlights

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related to armed conflict, inter-communal violence, Wag Hamra ! ! ! !

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• Insecurity and violence continue to be the primary ! ! ! AMHARA

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access impediment to relief operations in Ethiopia, ! !

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with 425 incidents reported since July, 74 per cent of ! ! !

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which in the Oromia region. Kemashi ! ! !

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• On 1 July, the UN Security Council passed resolution ! ! ! ! ! !

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2532 (2020), calling upon all parties to armed conflicts ! ! ! !

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to immediately engage in a “durable humanitarian pause” ! ! ! ! !

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! ! ! ! ! ! ! of at least 90 days, in light of the global COVID-19 !

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pandemic, to enable the safe, unhindered and sustained !

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delivery of lifesaving aid. This resolution had zero ! !

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impact in terms of conflict/ violence trends in Ethiopia. Amaro ! Shabelle !

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• In July, generalized protests through Oromia followed ! !

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Daawa ! 73 access incidents. The Government responded by

deploying security forces to bring the situation under Source: Access Incidents database control. Relief operations through the region and Timeframe: July-September 2020 The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement movements to BGR, Gambela, SNNPR and parts of or acceptance by the United Nations. Somali region were halted for one week, and government cut the internet for three weeks. REPORTED ACCESS INCIDENTS BY TYPE • Since July, in the Metekel zone (BGR), a unidentified 1% armed group (UAG) has perpetrated several indis- 3%3% criminate attacks against the population (particularly Active hostilities non-Gumuz) and security forces, impacting activities to 425 Violence against humanitarians assist thousands of IDPs returned by June. Thousands Total have been displaced, and aid operations are entirely Physical environement halted. incidents Restriction on movement, personnel or goods • The postponement of Ethiopia’s Parliamentary and Presidential elections, initially scheduled for August, 93% due to COVID-19, has brought a constitutional crisis into the country. Tigray Regional State council has REPORTED ACCESS INCIDENTS BY REGION since announced it no longer recognizes the legiti- macy of the Federal Government. Tensions remain high between both administrations, though the impact on aid operations is so far limited. • IDPs’ premature returns to areas with tensions or unre- solved conflicts and lacking appropriate conditions have created numerous humanitarian and protection challenges. In May, Oromia and Somali administrations returned thousands of IDPs across the regional boundary in East Hararge – Fafan. Several clashes between opposing clans have left dozens of IDP returnees killed or injured. 2

• COVID-19 continues undiminished in Ethiopia, particularly Oromia Amhara enishanul um Somali S Aar ambela Dire Dawa

in Addis Ababa. Through this time, humanitarian opera- Timeframe: July-September 2020 tions have not stopped, and partners have adapted delivery and field presence modalities (see OCHA Ethiopia COVID-19 Humanitarian impact Situation Updates).

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to Coordinate the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. www.unocha.org/ethiopia Access Situation Report July - September 2020 | 2

In September, the end of the state of emergency (SoE) brought to an end previous restrictions that had impacted partners’ operations. On 5 September, the Tigray government extended the SoE until 4 January 2021. • Zonal authorities in Western Oromia have acceded to address the needs of some 56,000 secondary displaced IDPs from Kamashi zone (BGR), who had not accessed assistance for one year. Partners are mobilizing to respond to the most urgent needs. • On 5 September 2019, two aid workers were killed outside the Nguenyyel camp in the Gambela region. A year later, the three suspects initially arrested have been set free in the absence of evidence. The aid community in Ethiopia calls upon all parties to protect humanitarians. • In 2020, OCHA has counted 63 security incidents impacting aid workers, assets, or facilities (58 in 2019). Since 2019 , there have been 81 incidents of physical assault/ injury, threat or intimidation, 12 confiscations/ commandeering or seizure of supplies, and nine damage/ destruction/ theft of equipment. Geographically, 44 incidents in Oromia, 20 in Gambela, 14 in Somali, 8 in Afar, and 35 elsewhere. • The Logistics Cluster/ WFP is producing regular analysis on ‘road movements constraints’ in Ethiopia, including the physical condition of roads (https://logcluster.org/countries/ETH) Oromia region – Socio-political unrest

Underlying political, social, and ethno-religious issues have re-surfaced in the Oromia region in 2019 - 2020, impacting the main urban centres populated by large ethnic minorities. Between October 2019 and July 2020, four episodes of violent protests had been registered. The killing of an influential Oromo artist in Addis Ababa on 29 June unleashed generalized protests through the region, taking an ethnic dimension in some locations with targeted assassinations and attacks on private and public property. Security forces deployed swiftly to restore law and order and reopen blocked roads, with allegations of excessive use of force on protesters echoed by human rights organizations. Over 250 people were reportedly killed and thousands arrested– including prominent Oromo political opposition figures. Besides, an estimated 9,000 people were forcibly displaced, and numerous violent incidents took an ethnic dimension,

The situation impacted partners’ operations significantly, and movements stopped entirely for over a week, including in Addis Ababa and onwards to BGR, Gambela, SNNPR, and parts of the Somali region. The situation raised concerns over aid workers’ safety through the region, with one partner’s compound and various vehicles vandalized in West Arsi. Also, private transporters did not deploy trucks due to security concerns along intra-regional routes, and many were stranded in Adama, according to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and WFP. For instance, the route Adama - Nekemte - Gambela was avoided due to safety concerns, using Jimma instead. While main roads were reopened within days, further restrictions were reported off-road in some woredas near Shashmene, Jijiga, and Nekemte.

The main hotspots of protests in July were Dire Dawa and Harar, particularly areas with mixed communities; parts of East (Girawa, Awaday, Haramaya, etc.) and West Hararghe (Chiro, Miesso, Hirna, etc.); East (Adama, Bishoftu, etc.), West (Ginchi and Ambo, etc.) and North Shewa (Dera); Arsi (Abomsa, Assela, Gedebe Assa, etc.) and West Arsi (Arsi Negele, Shashamane, Dodola, etc.) and Bale (Robe, Agarfa and Goba). See the map outlining the essential flashpoints of the protests in July:

Oromia,ETHIOPIA Dire Dawa, Harari regions civil unrest incidents June - July 2020 In August, renewed clashes between groups of youth and securi- Oromia, Dire Dawa, Harari regions civil unrest incidents June - July 2020 July 2020 BENISHANGUL Dera (Oromia) ty forces were reported in various locations across East and West GUMUZ East Wellega Horo AMHARA Gudru Jarso North Shewa DIRE DAWA Wellega Dire Dawa (East West Wellega Finfine rural Hararghe) Hararghe, Arsi and West Arsi zones, North and East Shewa, and Special Harari Mieso HARARI Gursum (Oromia) West Shewa Chiro East Hararge Addis Ababa Girawa Nekemte Town Ambo Town Town Babile Kelem Wellega Midhaga Dire Dawa and Harari cities. In East and West Hararge, a number of Ambo Zuria Bishoftu Town (Oromia) West Hararge Tola Buno Waliso Adama Bedele Town Jeju Daro Lebu deaths were reported among the protestors. Besides, media reports Dodota Ilu Aba Bora Jimma Adama Tulu GAMBELA Jido Tiyo Arsi Mena (Jimma) Kombolcha pointed at the detention of many protestors and schools being used Arsi Heban Negele Arsi OROMIA Arsi Negele Limu Shala Town Kore Bilbilo Agarfa as detention centres. Early September, localized protests took place Shashemene Zuria Gedeb Asasa Goba Town Kofele West Arsi Goba Kokosa Adaba Bale REPUBLIC OF SNNP SOMALI in West Arsi, South West Shewa, North Shewa, East Shewa, Bale, SOUTH SUDAN Mena (Bale) and Finfine Zuria zones. Lastly, at the end of September, renewed Bule Hora Town West Guji calls for protests were made on social media; however, these did Guji not materialize into mass protests and had a limited impact on relief operations. Borena

KENYA Civil unrest areas

100 km UGANDA

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. At the time of writing, the situation has calmed down partly due to Creation date: 21 July 2020 Map Doc.:21_ADM2__ETH_031920_A4_10.6 Sources:Regional DRM, UNDSS Feedback: [email protected] www.unocha.org www.reliefweb.int the massive security forces’ presence. , However, the potential for further unrest persists, with prominent Oromo political opposition figures facing serious legal charges and thousands accused of being involved with the protests in detention.

1 OCHA Ethiopia Access Monitoring and Reporting Framework (AMRF) started in March 2019 Access Situation Report July - September 2020 | 3

Afar - (Zone 1 and 3) – Somali (Sitti zone)

In Afar, chronic vulnerabilities exacerbated by conflict and natural disasters have left thousands of people dependent on humanitarian assistance. In addition to the protracted displacement resulting from drought and conflict, the Awash river’s overflowing in Awsi, and Gebi zones and constant flash floods have displaced some 144,000 people. Flooding has caused significant damage to the road network making many roads impassable, and access to the flood-affected population in many woredas has been problematic. In the Sitti zone, the rain stopped in the last week of September, and floods did not create physical access constraints in affected locations. However, floods displaced near 1,000 households, and partners could mobilize and provide some support with cash-based assistance and non-food items (NFIs). For further up-to-date information on road accessibility, please see WFP/ LogCluster Ethiopia - Interactive physical road constraints map.

The long-standing conflict between Afar – Isa (Somali) communities continues undiminished. For further background on this, including a clash between ethnic Afar Gidboso and Ablek Ad’ Ali sub-clans, see Humanitarian Access Snapshot - Afar region and Siti zone, Somali region (31 January 2020), Overall, since July, six violent clashes have been reported in the Gebi zone, impacting access to the three contested kebeles of Gedmayitu (Amibara woreda), Undufo (Gewane woreda), and Adeyitu (Mille woreda), all claiming lives and disrupting livelihoods. In one incident, in Undufo kebele, two police officers were injured when the trucks they were escorting, carrying food donated by Dire Dawa city administration for flood-affected, were attacked. In August, fighting between Afar and ethnic Issa broke out in Rifo kebele, Gewane woreda (Zone 3), causing an unknown number of causalities from both sides. The fighting was eventually put under control by the Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF). However, humanitarian access to the three kebeles remains severely restricted, hampering movements and operations in the area. Further, inter-communal violence has also been reported between Afar and Keryu (Oromo) communities in Fentale woreda, East Shewa zone.

North Western Eastern Central Western

Mekele SpecialZone 2 (Kilbet Rasu) North Gondar South Eastern

Wag Hamra Central Gondar Southern West Gondar Zone 4 (Fantana Rasu)

North Wello South Gondar Zone 1 (Awsi Rasu)

Awi West Gojam South Wello Oromia East Gojam Zone 5 (Hari Rasu) Asosa

Kemashi North Shewa(O)North Shewa(A) Horo Gudru Wellega West Wellega East Wellega Mao Komo Special Dire DawaHarari urban Fafan West Shewa Dire Dawa rural Region 14 East Hararge Kelem Wellega Finfine Special West Hararge Buno Bedele South West Shewa East Shewa Ilu Aba Bora Nuwer Itang Special Guraghe Jarar Arsi Erer Jimma Siltie Agnewak Yem Special Hadiya Sheka Halaba Special Majeng Doolo Kefa Hadiya West Arsi Nogob Dawuro Konta Special Wolayita Amhara region Sidama Bale Korahe Gamo Gofa Bench Maji Gedeo

Shabelle Segen Area P.West Guji Guji South Omo Afder Liban

Borena Daawa Amhara’s operational environment is marked by multiple localized conflicts, including UAGs and groups of armed youth, others between Amhara, Afari, and Oromo communities. Overall, partners have reported 26 violent incidents (34 were reported from April – June), 12 in Oromia Special zone involving ethnic Amhara and Afari as well as Oromo and Afari, five in North Shewa (Habru, Raya Kobo, Bati and Kewet woredas), and another five in North Wello, involving ethnic Amhara and Afari. No displacements occurred due to these clashes.

Previous community violence in North, West, and Central Gondar has reportedly calmed down, and 95 per cent of IDPs have returned to their areas of origin. This notwithstanding, in August, three ethnic Amhara women were killed and some injured in an attack by a UAG in Metema woreda, West Gondar zone. Local sources indicate that the UAGs are allegedly members of the ethnic Qemant community. On the other hand, tensions between Amhara and Tigray region special forces scaled up in boundary areas of Adarkay district, North Gondar, and along the border between North Wollo zone and Wag Hamra special woreda and Tigray region, with high presence of se- Oromia, Dire Dawa, Harari regions civil unrest incidents June - July 2020 curity forces and heightened security checks. Reportedly, Amhara forces conducted security checks to vehicles and passengers from the Tigray region in the regional border crossing between North Wello and Tigray’s Southern zone.

According to the latest round of IOM’s displacement tracking monitoring (DTM), some 24,000 IDPs remain in the Amhara region, of which some 7,200 reside in the Awi zone. These IDPs are due to be returned to Mandura, Dongola, and Guba woredas in Metekel (BSG) by the end of 2020, which is complicated by UAG attacks and insecurity. The regional government has provided irregular emergency food assistance to these IDPs, while aid partners have been largely excluded from responding by the local authorities.

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Kemashi North Shewa(O) Horo Gudru Wellega West Wellega East Wellega Mao Komo Special Dire DawaHarari urban Fafan West Shewa Dire Dawa rural Region 14 East Hararge Kelem Wellega Finfine Special West Hararge Buno Bedele South West Shewa East Shewa Ilu Aba Bora Nuwer Itang Special Guraghe Jarar Arsi Erer Jimma Siltie Agnewak Yem Special Hadiya Sheka Halaba Special Majeng Doolo Kefa Hadiya West Arsi Nogob Dawuro Amhara (Awi zone) – Benishangul Gumuz region, BGR (Metekel zone) Konta Special Wolayita Sidama Bale Korahe Gamo Gofa Bench Maji Gedeo

Shabelle Segen Area P.West Guji Guji South Omo Afder Liban

Borena Daawa In May and June, Benishangul Gumuz and Amhara regional administrations triggered the return of 28,000 IDPs to their areas of origin, 17,000 across the regional boundary from Awi to Metekel, 1,500 from Metekel to Awi, and 10,000 IDPs within Metekel. The humanitarian community expressed concern on the sustainability and voluntariness of such returns in light of prevailing community tensions and the risk of COVID-19. Authorities provided some assistance to IDPs; however, IDPs faced critical gaps accessing services upon return. In Dangur woreda, IDP returnees from Awi complained about lack of access to personal properties and former land, while Gumuz returnees noted they were unable to access their land bordering the Amhara region due to fear of attacks by an armed group. Despite the challenges, and thanks in part to the large presence of EDF, no significant incidents occurred between communities following the return operation.

A multi-agency assessment identified shelter as a priority for returnees as thousands of shelters were burned down during the violence a year earlier (April 2019). Further, returnees struggled to access health services, given that the majority of health facilities had been damaged by violence, and they lacked resources to pay for services. For instance, in Dangur woreda two health posts were completely

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Access Situation Report July - September 2020 | 4 damaged, and eight were partially damaged or looted. The assessment concluded there was a critical need for mobile clinics to deliver primary health and nutrition services, including nutrition screening of children. Further, several schools had also been damaged and required urgent rehabilitation.

On 30 June, an unknown armed group ambushed a truck and killed the driver and his assistant, both ethnic Amhara. This would be the first in a series of attacks targeting the civilian population and security forces in the zone, which continue at the time of writing. The Ethiopia Human Rights Commission has expressed grave concern over the attacks. While this group’s composition and motivations remain unknown, there seems to be a pattern of attacks against non-Gumuz minorities (Amhara, Agew, and Shinasha). However, Gumuz communities have also been targeted. Since July, the UAG has committed at least 13 attacks, leaving dozens killed and injured in Bulen, Guba, Dangur, and Wanbera woredas. An estimated 12,200 people have been displaced from Guba (5,000), Bulen (2,900), Dangur (500), Sedal (250), and Wanbera (3,550) woredas, according to the regional government

The Federal Government has established a Command-post for the coming three months, manned by Ethiopian Defense Forces, and imposed strict security check controls and a curfew. Also, dozens of local officials were dismissed in September, accused of inaction or being involved with the violence. The security situation has severely affected humanitarian operations. At the time of writing, security restrictions are in place for UN Agencies, while humanitarian activities have been completely halted. W

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West Shewa Region 14 Kelem Wellega Finfine Special Buno Bedele South West Shewa East Shewa Ilu Aba Bora Nuwer Itang Special Guraghe Jarar Arsi Erer Jimma Siltie Agnewak Yem Special Hadiya Sheka Halaba Special Majeng Doolo Kefa Hadiya West Arsi Nogob Dawuro Konta Special Wolayita Sidama Bale Korahe Gamo Gofa Eastern Oromia (East Hararge, Chinaksen woreda) - Somali region (Fafan zone, Tuliguled woreda) Bench Maji Gedeo Shabelle Segen Area P.West Guji Guji South Omo Afder Liban

Borena Daawa The long-standing inter-communal conflict between Jarso (Oromo) and Geri (Somali) clans along the Somali-Oromia administrative boundary, i.e., Chinaksen (East Hararghe, Oromia) and Tuliguled woredas (Fafan, Somali) continued in 2020. This notwithstanding, by the end of June, both regional administrations supported the return of 48,000 IDPs across the regional boundary, i.e., 23,000 returned to Chinaksen (Oromia), 25,000 to Tuliguled woreda (Somali). For further background, see OCHA Humanitarian Access Situation Report April – June 2020. The aid community had expressed concern over the voluntariness of such process, security, and sustainability given prevailing tensions between communities, and the limited assistance and services made available in respective areas of return/ origin. Since returns, government and WFP distributed three rounds of food to IDP returnees in Chinaksen; however, gaps in access to essential services like health and schools remain poor.

Regarding the security, despite the large presence of EDF along the regional boundary, several violent incidents have impacted IDP returnees. To cite a few, in June, IDPs returned from the Somali region to Chinaksen were attacked, one was killed, three injured; in July, members of the Gerri (Somali) clan allegedly threw a grenade into a centre for Oromo returnees in Tuliguled, killing two people, injuring few others. In September, clashes were reported along the boundary killing six IDP returnees from Jarso (Oromo); in a separate incident, fighting in Kululo village, Tuliguled, killed six IDP returnees from Jarso clan who had returned from Oromia; in the last incident, also in Tuliguled town, seven IDP returnees from Jarso clan were killed.

Gambela region

While the underlying issues that drive violence and social unrest in Gambela - namely confrontations between Agnuak and Nuer communities, intra-communal violence within the Nuer, spill-over of violence from South Sudan, and high criminality - persist, the scale of violence has ostensibly reduced in recent months, and partners have reported few incidents impacting their operations.

According to UNHCR, there are some 333,000 refugees in Gambela, most from South Sudan, and some 34,000 IDPs displaced by recent flooding. Besides, a number of IDPs from Oromia’s Kelem Wellega remain in Gambela, though their whereabouts are unknown, given that they hide to avoid being return by authorities. In Western Gambela, boundary areas with South Sudan in Akobo and Wantawo woredas (Nuer zone) remain highly inaccessible to partners due to the presence of armed groups and militias from South Sudan. On the other hand, in Dima, Akobo, Jor, Wanthowa, and Mackuay woredas, the dire state of roads and flooding during the rainy season has compromised physical access to the affected population. Lastly, Eastern Gambela’s Dima woreda (Agnuak zone), and boundary areas with SNNPR, remain highly insecure due to criminality, which some associate with the ‘gold mines’, with reports of frequent violent thefts on public buses and limited humanitarian access.

5 September 2020 marked the tragic first anniversary of the killing of two aid workers in the vicinity of Nguenyyiel refugee camp’s, Itang woreda. While some suspects were initially arrested, they were later released without charges, and the investigation has reached a stalemate. Aid workers continue to operate in a high-risk environment, and any incident between individuals from different ethnic/ communities has the potential to unleash generalized unrest, including for instance road-traffic accidents involving partners’ vehicles or disagreements over distribution of aid to refugees, IDPs or host communities.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Access Situation Report July - September 2020 | 5

Southern Oromia (West Guji) – Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s region, SNNPR (Gedeo)

In recent months, the sub-region humanitarian situation has significantly improved, following the return of near 300,000 IDPs to their areas of origin - some 170,000 in Gedeo (94,500 from West Guji and 75,500 within Gedeo) and some 124,000 in West Guji by mid-2019. Nevertheless, thousands of people continue to be displaced and are yet to access durable solutions, while ongoing security operations against UAGs continue to limit access to people in need. While the security situation has improved in the recent past, sporadic clashes with UAGs continue to restrict access to some areas. In August, partners reported eight major clashes causing casualties in Dugda Dawa, Bule Hora, Gelana, Kercha, and Melka Soda woredas.

In the reporting period, tensions between Guji and Gedeo communities have remained noticeably low. This notwithstanding, some issues remain and are impacting equitable access to aid. In 2019, authorities and partners put a system to assess / target people in need jointly. However, in Kercha woreda, 100,000 people were arguably not adequately or at all registered, and authorities continue to dispute their eligibility for food aid. Similarly, 19,000 left-out IDPs in Suro Berguda woreda (affected by inter-communal conflict since 2019) remain out of support schemes. Lastly, some 30,000 people remain displaced since mid-2018 in Melka Soda woreda due to security operations against UAGs (for further information, please see Humanitarian Access Snapshot, Gedeo - West Guji, as of 15 September 2020).

In Gedeo, some 3,000 IDPs - ethnic Gedeo - have not returned to their place of origin in West Guji due to insecurity and lack of land access. These IDPs primarily live with the host community in Gedeo and are engaged in causal labor and petty trade. Since last year, regional authorities have not recognized them as IDPs, which has impeded them from accessing food aid (only provided to IDP returnees) and protection related services. Lastly, rains have impacted partners’ movements and operations, in particular in West Guji’ Gelana, Hambela Wamena, and Melka Soda woredas, also affecting the work of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in tracking displaced and returned populations.

Southern Oromia (Guji and Borena zones)

In Guji, the scale and scope of violence linked to security operations against UAGs are increasing. Security operations have intensified since April, and the humanitarian space has shrunk. Since July, partners have reported 48 incidents of clashes or hostilities (24 from April – June), which have impacted one way or another their operations. The most affected woredas are Gora Dola (16 incidents), Gumi Ildalo (13), Liban (8), and Saba Boru (5). Security forces often restrict partners’ access to some of these areas, and the affected population’s access to aid has been affected. Close to 18,000 IDPs remain in inaccessible locations, forcing the people to survive through harmful coping mechanisms. The situation has led to severe protection concerns, amidst allegations of human rights viola- tions, schools’ occupation, etc. Security forces deny the population’s free movement in contested areas, including their return to areas of origin. Public transport in those areas is banned, complicating the referral of victims of sexual or gender-based violence (SGBV) or medical emergencies. Further, partners have reported the dismantling of at least five IDP sites in Libanworeda , impacting the distribution of critical assistance. For further information/ background, please see OCHA Access Snapshot - Guji, Oromia, as of 30 June 2020.

In addition to conflict, COVID-19, floods, and desert locust continue to compound humanitarian concerns in the area, which is charac- terized by chronic food insecurity. Guji hosts 120,000 IDPs, including 40,000 displaced in the 2017 conflict between Oromia and Somali regions, and 80,000 displaced by renewed insecurity since mid-2019. Since May, an estimated 15,000 people (unverified) have been displaced – most for the second time – after being asked to move by security forces. Since the cancellation of the beneficiary verification exercise in March due to COVID-19, federal and local authorities’ disagreements over the exact number of IDPs continue. The beneficiary verification exercise is yet to be rescheduled. As a result, 80,000 IDPs have only received one-off food assistance for the past six months. The inadequate shelter is also another concern, and access to health services, primarily for women, children, and the elderly, is insufficient. Meanwhile, partners are operating in a high-risk environment. Only in August, partners reported three incidents, i.e., one aid worker was arrested and detained for 24 hours for wearing a t-shirt of similar colors to a UAG. One water truck driver was obliged to bring water to a military camp, and another one was harassed at a checkpoint.

In Borena, the security situation remains volatile (17 armed clashes reported) also related to ongoing operations against UAGs, impacting Arero, Dhas, Guchi, Miyo, Moyale, and Wachile woredas. Insecurity is hindering access to some 9,800 IDPs and 22,000 returnees (out of 35,400 IDPs and 248,500 returnees). In July and August, ethnic tensions between Gari (Somali) and Borena (Oromo) groups were reported in Wachile, Borbor, Moyale, Arero, and Guchi woredas. These tensions are related to competition over resources, such as land in Moyale and revenge attacks.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia Access Situation Report July - September 2020 | 6

North Western Eastern Central Western

Mekele SpecialZone 2 (Kilbet Rasu) South Eastern

Southern Zone 4 (Fantana Rasu)

Zone 1 (Awsi Rasu)

Asosa

North Shewa(O)

Dire DawaHarari urban Fafan West Shewa Dire Dawa rural Region 14 East Hararge Kelem Wellega Finfine Special West Hararge Buno Bedele South West Shewa East Shewa Ilu Aba Bora Nuwer Itang Special Guraghe Jarar Arsi Erer Jimma Siltie Agnewak Yem Special Hadiya Sheka Halaba Special Majeng Doolo Kefa Hadiya West Arsi Nogob Dawuro Konta Special Wolayita Western Oromia (Wellegas) – Benishangul Gumuz region, BGR (Kamashi) Bale Sidama Korahe Gamo Gofa Bench Maji Gedeo

Shabelle Segen Area P.West Guji Guji South Omo Afder Liban

Borena Daawa In Western Oromia, violence is expanding into new areas, i.e., East Wellega and Horo Gudru Wellega. Since April, over 240 armed incidents have been reported, plus four market strikes. Partners have reported 30 security incidents in West Wellega, with Boji Dirmeji, Gimbi, Mendi, and Nedjo woredas the most affected. In East Wellega, three attacks with armed fire and explosive devices have been reported in Nekemte town. Overall, UAGs have stepped up attacks on security forces, police stations, vehicles, and private businesses/ hotels. On 9 September, ten people were reportedly killed by an explosive device allegedly thrown by a UAG into a hotel in Machara town, Kellem Wellega. Clashes are taking place almost daily, forcing partners to suspend critical activities (emergency shelter and non-food items, health, nutrition, WASH), leaving thousands of people without assistance. Operations had been previously impacted by the shutdown of phone and internet access (January – March) and the arrival of COVID-19. Nonetheless, partners have not stopped operations and continued to deliver essential services to the population. For further info, please see Humanitarian Access Snapshot, Wellegas - Kamashi, as of September 2020.

Some 58,000 IDPs (39,000 in West, 19,000 East Wellega) have not accessed aid for one year. This population was among those returned to Kamashi in June 2019 (64,500 in total) and re-displaced back to Oromia due to insecurity and lack of services. They live in overcrowded conditions with host communities, have minimal income, and face many protection issues, e.g., SGBV. In September, authorities authorized relief activities with food (last distribution took place in April) and shelter as main priorities following intensive advocacy. At the time of writing, partners are mobilizing to respond.

Aid partners continue operating in a hazardous environment. The increased use of explosive devices in urban settings threatens the civilian population’s safety and aid workers. Partners strive to ensure their safety and carry out activities with the help of good visibility during road movements/vehicles to ensure distinction from security actors. Further, partners have noted an increased number of security checkpoints, some mobile and with poor visibility, and complained about security forces not wearing any COVID-19 protective equipment.

In Kamashi, the security situation has improved; however, lingering tensions at the community level continue to hamper peace and recovery efforts. Secondary displaced IDPs in West Wellega have denounced that local authorities in Agelometi and Kamashi woredas had excluded them from aid schemes and disregarded their claims for the return of properties and livestock stolen during the conflict. In Belojiganfo woreda, ethnic Gumuz face movement limitations to Oromia due to insecurity, losing access to services and markets, while Oromo IDP returnees fear further attacks (only men have returned so far). The population has complained about local authorities’ mismanagement of assistance. On the other hand, the rainy season has affected access to areas with poor road infrastructure, i.e., Sedal, Agalometi, and Yaso woredas. The main route connecting Kamashi to Oromia through Nedjo (West Wellega) is frequently impassable during rainfalls and insecurity.

Tigray region

On 9 September, the Tigray regional government organized its regional election. Elections were held smoothly without significant incidents or unrest and did not impact the humanitarian operational environment. Following the elections, the Federal Government decided to sever ties with the regional government and financially disengage with the regional government. The continued political standoff can trigger civil unrest and violent demonstrations in the future that could lead to displacement and affect service provision, including disruption of transport and communication services. On the other hand, tension continues to rise along the Tigray- Amhara common border areas with massive deployment of security forces and erection of checkpoints on both sides. The situation remains a concern.

Overall, some 120,000 protracted displaced persons in Tigray continue to have limited access to assistance. For instance, a recent assessment in Mekelle identified 550 IDPs affected by scabies, a testament to the poor living conditions at collective sites. The desert locust infestation has caused extensive damage (36,000 hectares of crops), affecting four zones (South, Southeast, Central, and Eastern). Further, seasonal floods have affected thousands of people throughout the region and displaced close to 3,000 in Alamata woreda. Only 40 percent of the affected people have received food and non-food aid from the Tigray Early Warning and Response Directorate.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs www.unocha.org/ethiopia