ADDIS ABABA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Friday urged more support to more than 970,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict in Ethiopia's largest Oromia region and Southern region in the past few months.
According to the UN migration agency, roughly 970,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict in Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone in the Southern region and West Guji in Oromia region during the past four months, the majority being displaced in June alone.
"With so many people becoming displaced in such a short time period, IOM and humanitarian partners have been scaling up their presence to provide urgent, live-saving assistance," IOM indicated calling for more support in order to meet the humanitarian needs of the displaced Ethiopian.
"Many of whom have found shelter in unfinished buildings or in unhealthy conditions with just a sheet of tarpaulin for protection from the elements," the statement read.
"Access to safe sanitation and clean water is of concern, as is ensuring health needs are met," it added.
IOM further revealed that in order to improve the overall delivery of humanitarian assistance, it is currently providing displacement tracking and site management support, in which IOM is currently providing shelter assistance and essential aid items, facilitating access to water and sanitation services and raising awareness about hygiene to the displaced populations in both areas.
Earlier this week, IOM released a much-needed appeal for 22.2 million U.S. dollars to continue its humanitarian operations in Gedeo and West Guji zones in the two regions.
Noting that most of the displaced people fled their homes "with little more than the clothes they were wearing," IOM further commended the latest support from the UKAID which delivered 200 tonnes of aid for the internally displaced people in the two zones.
"We are extremely grateful to the donors, who have shown great support for the people and government of Ethiopia, but more funding is urgently required to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands displaced people in Gedeo and West Guji," said Maureen Achieng, IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission and Representative to the AU, IGAD and UNECA.
"Without additional funding, lives will be at risk. The needs are immense - the international community's response must match them," Achieng added.
