Germany commits additional €50 million for cross-country humanitarian responses

Addis Ababa, February 25, 2025 (FMC) — Germany reaffirmed its unwavering partnership and support to Ethiopia with additional commitment of €50 million in humanitarian assistance that will support cross-country projects implemented by UNHCR, UNICEF and UN Women.

Jens Hanefeld, Ambassador of Germany to Ethiopia and Permanent Observer to the African Union, together with UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, reaffirmed their joint and continued commitment to the people of Ethiopia during a press conference held at the UN Conference Center on 25 February 2025.

On the occasion, Ambassador Hanefeld highlighted Germany’s additional commitment of 50 million euros in humanitarian assistance, which will support cross-country projects implemented by UNHCR, UNICEF, and UN Women. This funding, officially announced at the end of 2024, will strengthen the humanitarian response also in Ethiopia over the coming years and address critical needs in vulnerable communities, the ambassador indicated.

“The Federal Republic of Germany remains committed in its support to the UN system in Ethiopia. Commitment in these days means reliability. In difficult times, partners need to be able to rely on each other. Germany continues to be a steady and reliable partner to multilateralism. Germany will stand to its commitments,” he said.

In 2024, the Ambassador noted that Germany provided significant financial support to the UN system in Ethiopia, channeling a total of 44 million EUR through several UN agencies. UN OCHA received 14,9 million EUR, prioritizing anticipatory action in drought-affected areas and localization efforts through the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund (EHF), where Germany remains the largest donor in 2024. UNHCR Ethiopia received 4,1 million EUR as part of a regional initiative to support displaced persons in the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. UNICEF Ethiopia was allocated 3,8 million EUR to expand its child protection efforts, especially in response to sexual and gender-based violence. Additionally, UN Women is advancing gender accountability, addressing inequality and gender-based violence in humanitarian crises with German support.

Beyond these initiatives, German funding has also extended to the World Food Programme (19,1 million EUR), IOM (1 million EUR) and WHO (750.000 EUR).

Building on this strong foundation, Germany’s additional 50 million EUR commitment to cross-country projects will further enhance the humanitarian response. This funding will ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those most in need while fostering resilience and sustainable development. “Our funding does not only apply to the humanitarian sector, but for development cooperation as well,” Hanefeld further stated.

Commitment, according to the German ambassador, means setting priorities. “We cannot do more with less. But we can use the funds as a means as efficient as possible and in line with our grand bargain responsibilities from a World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul in 2016, we urge to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian coordination in order to get more means into the hands of people in need,” the German envoy asserted.

For his part, Dr. Alakbarov expressed gratitude for Germany’s unwavering support and its role as a steady and reliable partner to the UN system in Ethiopia. He emphasized Germany’s commitment to the principles of the Grand Bargain, which aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian action. By providing unearmarked funding, Germany enables UN agencies to respond flexibly and swiftly to emerging humanitarian crises, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are most needed.

“The United Nations deeply appreciates the steadfast support of the people and Government of Germany in addressing Ethiopia’s humanitarian challenges. Germany’s flexible and vital contributions have enabled lifesaving assistance while fostering resilience among vulnerable communities. This partnership exemplifies the power of global solidarity and our shared commitment to dignity, inclusion, and sustainable solutions for those most in need,” said Dr. Alakbarov.

Meanwhile, UNHCR Country Representative, Andrew Mbogori, thanked the people and government of Ethiopia for hosting over 1.1 million refugees from different countries. He also appreciated Germany’s support to refugees and other humanitarian responses in Ethiopia.

Other speakers at the event include Cecile Mukarubuga, UN Women Representative to Ethiopia, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, and Head of UN OCHA Ethiopia is Paul Handley, On the occasion, the UN officials emphasized the significance of Germany’s support and its partnership with Ethiopia and the UN system in the country.

The unveiling event was attended by Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, heads of the three UN agencies, and other high-level dignitaries.