Ongoing conflict, desert locust invasion, recurrent climatic shocks such as floods and droughts, and socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 are the key drivers of humanitarian needs in Ethiopia. Amid the political transition, armed conflict and community violence remains a critical concern across Ethiopia, from Benishangul Gumuz, to Oromia, to Tigray. Heightened competition over resources due to pressures from climatic shocks, COVID-19 containment measures, and desert locust infestation in certain areas, create further inter-communal tension, violence, and displacement. Of an estimated 2.7 million people currently internally displaced in Ethiopia, 1 million of which occurred in 2020, approximately 68 per cent were displaced by conflict, underlining the rapidly evolving protection crisis in Ethiopia.

The conflict crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia—which erupted in November 2020—has left over half the population in need of humanitarian assistance. In February 2021, the ICT Emergency Cell (IOM, OCHA, UNDSS, UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP) was launched to coordinate and address gaps in IT and communications services in the humanitarian response to the crisis. See the 'Ethiopia: Tigray region' page below for more information on the Interagency Emergency ICT Sector response.