News Analysis: Displaced families from Afar earthquakes endure dire conditions amid overwhelmed shelters; thousands left without adequate water, food aid

By Yishak Endris @Yishak_Endris

Addis Abeba – Residents displaced by a series of recent earthquakes in the Afar region are struggling to survive in makeshift shelters, with many reporting that the aid they are receiving is insufficient to meet their basic needs.

In an interview with Addis Standard, Fakir Ahmed, formerly a resident of Segneto Kebele in Dulecha district, explained that he fled his home and property due to the frequent earthquakes in the area, seeking refuge at the Daido shelter camp in Amibera district.

“I traveled 67 kilometers on foot to get here. Many others have also arrived on foot, with some covering distances of up to 25 kilometers by road,” he recounted.

Fakir, who heads his household, shared that he, along with his parents, wife, and four children, arrived at the temporary shelter twelve days ago. “We left everything behind—our home and belongings. We came empty-handed,” he said.

While Fakir acknowledged receiving aid from both the government and non-governmental organizations, he stressed that the assistance is inadequate given the large number of displaced individuals at the shelter.

“The number of people here far exceeds the assistance provided, and the aid we receive consists only of raw grains,” he explained. “We don’t even have cooking oil to prepare meals. Even when grains arrive, they’re divided among three or four families, leaving everyone with insufficient portions.”

Access to water, Fakir noted, is another major issue.

“We used to rely on truck deliveries, but since that stopped, people have been forced to use river water,” he emphasized. “This lack of water raises serious concerns about the potential spread of diseases.”

In addition to the water shortage, Fakir highlighted the shelter challenges.

“Shelter is another significant issue. This is an arid area, and many people here don’t even have basic tarpaulins to cover themselves,” he explained. “There are many elderly and vulnerable individuals, and some are forced to share cramped spaces with those who lack any form of shelter.”

Another resident, who requested anonymity, shared with Addis Standard that he fled Segento Kebele in Dulecha district with his three children and is currently living at the Seddi Mazoria shelter.

The resident explained that he had to hire a private vehicle at a high cost to evacuate, but they are now facing severe hardships.

“We arrived at the shelter a week ago. We don’t have mattresses to sleep on; we sleep directly on mats,” he said.

The resident also highlighted the food shortages in the camp, noting that although food aid is being provided, it remains insufficient.

“Recently, we received 50 kg of flour, but even that is not enough for a family,” he disclosed. “Moreover, there are others in the camp who haven’t received any aid, and we end up sharing with them.”

In an interview with Addis Standard, a healthcare professional providing medical services at the Seddi Mazoria shelter confirmed that measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases within the shelter.

“Preparations are underway, in collaboration with the responsible authorities, to ensure a prompt response to any potential health issues that may arise,” he stated.

The Afar region and its surrounding areas have experienced a series of seismic events in recent months, with particularly intense activity in the Awash and Dulecha districts, which span both Afar and Oromia regions.

In the past few weeks alone, a total of 50 seismic events were recorded in the area. The strongest, with a magnitude of 5.8, occurred on January 4 at a depth of 10 kilometers near the Dofen Mountains, and its effects were felt as far as the capital, Addis Abeba.

As a result of these seismic activities, residents of Awash Fentale in the Afar region have reported the collapse of over 30 houses, forcing many to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring areas. Consequently, more than 58,000 people have been displaced and are now residing in temporary shelters.

Authorities have also reported the relocation of pastoralists from areas near the Kesem Dam in the Awash Fentale district as part of ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable populations.

In its latest update, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that in the Afar evacuation areas—home to the highest number of displaced individuals—food assistance has reached 6,780 households. However, the organization also revealed that 2,250 households remain without support.

The UN agency further disclosed that “two individuals have been reported to be seriously injured” and noted that the earthquakes have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including homes, health centers, schools, and roads.

According to OCHA, the Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMC) has dispatched 16 trucks of food supplies to displacement sites. It also stated, “Further support is expected from the World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with World Vision Ethiopia.”

Ahmed Ibrahim, the coordinator of the regional command post, stated that the regional government is providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced by supplying essential food items, deploying two water trucks for consistent water delivery, setting up 15 latrines at the shelters, and distributing clothing.
“In addition, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has ensured the safety of communities by evacuating them from dangerous areas to secure locations, delivering water via trucks, and safeguarding the surroundings,” Ahmed added.

Among the more than 58,000 individuals displaced by the recent seismic activities and now residing in temporary shelters, 4,000 are workers from the Kesem Sugar Factory.

Hassan Kamil is one of the residents from the area surrounding the Kesem Sugar Factory who fled their home due to the frequent earthquakes and sought refuge at the Daido shelter camp in the Amibera district.

Hassan recounted that he, along with his two wives and five children, arrived at the shelter ten days ago, with government vehicles facilitating their transportation to the site.

“The government is making efforts to provide support, but it is not enough,” he stated. “We need water; we need food—there are so many problems.”

Reports indicate that the recent earthquakes have caused significant damage to the Kesem Sugar Factory, located in the Dulesa district.

Ali Hussein, the factory’s general manager, previously stated that the infrastructure sustained “moderate to severe” damage, including the collapse of the power distribution building, cracks in the sugarcane fields, and damage to warehouses and residential areas.

However, authorities have noted that the Kesem Dam is designed to “withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude seven on the Richter scale.” They also reported that “no issues related to land displacement have been reported thus far.” AS