Gambella Humanitarian Crisis Escalates Amid Ethnic Violence

Ethiopian authorities have deployed troops to the Gambella region as ethnic violence escalates and a humanitarian crisis deepens. The World Food Programme (WFP) has halted food distributions, affecting more than 400,000 refugees, including recent arrivals from Sudan and South Sudan. The conflict began after the killing of local police chief Umod Ujulu, a member of the Nuer community, allegedly by a deputy from the Anuak group. Since then, clashes between the two ethnic groups have intensified, leading to rising casualties, curfews, and the suspension of aid operations in an area already burdened with displaced populations.

Regional President Alemitu Omod confirmed that fighting continues in Gambella city, describing a tense environment with deserted streets and curfews imposed to allow families to retrieve victims. The WFP suspended food deliveries this week, citing “escalating tensions.” Other humanitarian organizations have also scaled back operations amid the insecurity, worsening challenges in a region where aid has been dwindling since 2023 due to reduced international funding, particularly from major donors such as USAID. A 2023 report by Doctors Without Borders noted that these funding cuts had already strained food distribution, healthcare, and water access.

Local residents and analysts attribute the crisis to a combination of economic decline, high unemployment, and longstanding ethnic tensions over land and political representation. “People are hungry and blaming others, turning to violence as a means of survival,” said Nyateny Nul, a Gambella resident. The region’s history of conflict between Nuer and Anuak groups has repeatedly spilled into refugee camps, which are now struggling under decreased humanitarian support. James Akob, a South Sudanese refugee in Pugindo camp, described the situation as “a bloodbath,” noting attacks within the camp based on ethnicity. He alleged that elements linked to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement‑In Opposition (SPLM‑IO) had contributed to the unrest, though this claim could not be independently verified.

The crisis highlights the intersection of humanitarian neglect and ethnic strife in Gambella, with reduced international funding compounding local grievances. As violence persists, concerns grow over civilian safety and the sustainability of aid efforts in a region increasingly vulnerable to conflict.