News
Ethiopia: Nutritional emergency in the Afar region
In Ethiopia, malnutrition remains a public health emergency, particularly in the Afar region.
Publié le 09/04/2025 | Temps de lecture : 2 min
Exceeding the critical threshold of 15%, global acute malnutrition rates continue to rise. Between January and February 2025, admissions for severe acute malnutrition jumped by 44.3% year-on-year, to 1,768 new cases. This increase is linked to the suspension of humanitarian funding, inflation, drought and limited access to food aid.
Treatment and prevention:
a dual challenge
Since June 2024, a consortium comprising Première Urgence Internationale, Acted, Triangle Génération Humanitaire et Mercy Corps has been implementing an integrated response combining nutrition and food security, targeting the most isolated villages.
In 19 health facilities, Première Urgence Internationale provides treatment for malnourished children and supports caregivers and families with food and logistics distributions.
Between June 2024 and February 2025, 22,854 children and 6,012 pregnant and breast-feeding women were screened, revealing:
- 994 cases of severe acute malnutrition
- 4,629 cases of moderate acute malnutrition.
Thanks to these interventions, 994 children received treatment, with a cure rate of 98%.
Prevention plays a key role in this response: 3,962 caregivers and pregnant women have been trained in the early detection of malnutrition, while nutrition and hygiene awareness programs have reached over 20,000 people.
Breaking the cycle
of malnutrition
Our teams are also strengthening household resilience by distributing hygiene kits and setting up a cash transfer program: 624 families have received financial aid to ensure access to sufficient food.
Première Urgence Internationale has also rehabilitated two health posts and continues to train medical staff to ensure the sustainability of the project.
By tackling the root causes of malnutrition and strengthening access to healthcare, Première Urgence Internationale and its partners are committed to offering future prospects to the vulnerable communities of Afar.
Première Urgence Internationale has been operating since May 2023 with the support of the French government’s Food Aid Program.
