Africa
Ethiopia
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Health
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Mental health & psychosocial support
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Nutrition
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Protection
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Water, sanitation & hygiene
2022
mission start date
99
national staff
3
expatriate staff
723 270
people supported
Context
Second most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia is home to nearly 137 million people and a rich mosaic of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. known as the land of origins, Ethiopia is where Lucy, one of the oldest known Homo sapiens fossils, was discovered, highlighting the country’s deep connection to early human evolution.
Today, Ethiopia faces complex and interlinked challenges. Ongoing conflicts, climate change, and extreme weather events such as floods and landslides continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods. The country also contends with recurring disease outbreaks and epidemics, which strain already fragile health systems.
Food insecurity remains critical, affecting over 15.8 million people, while malnutrition continues to impact 4.4 million children and pregnant and lactating women, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas.
Although the Pretoria Agreement signed in 2022 formally ended the war in Tigray, instability persists in Tigray and other several regions. An estimated 2.8 million people remain internally displaced, and localized clashes continue between the federal government and various armed opposition groups.
In total, more than 21 million people across Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian assistance, highlighting the scale and urgency of ongoing support required.
Our approach
Description of the mission
Première Urgence Internationale operates in Ethiopia since 2022, delivering health, nutrition, and protection interventions across Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Amhara regions. It responds to urgent needs among population affected by conflict, epidemics, and climate-related shocks, with a focus on hard-to-reach, host, displaced, and refugee communities.
Première Urgence Internationale supports health facilities and malnutrition treatment centres, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure and essential services, provision of medicines and medical supplies, and training of medical staff, while delivering care for survivors of gender-based violence, ensuring quality services and preserving people’s dignity.
Première Urgence Internationale
in action
Première Urgence Internationale has implemented health and nutrition activities in the Afar region since 2023, delivering life-saving services and responding to urgent nutrition and food security needs among populations affected by conflict and climatic shocks. In 2025, our NGO expanded its response by integrating protection interventions and strengthening overall support.
In Benishangul-Gumuz, Première Urgence Internationale supports communities affected by displacement due to conflict and epidemics, including cholera and malaria. In 2025, we began providing health and nutrition services in the Kurmuk border area, supporting both host communities and people fleeing violence in Sudan.
In 2026, Première Urgence Internationale continues to support conflict-affected areas in Metekel and Kurmuk by deploying health teams, supplying essential drugs, rehabilitating health facilities, and strengthening community engagement.
In Amhara, one of the most populous regions of Ethiopia, Première Urgence Internationale operates in East Gojjam, a district heavily affected by ongoing conflict between government forces and armed opposition groups. In 2026, our NGO expanded its intervention to North Wollo in response to growing needs and displacement.
Première Urgence Internationale counts on and supports networks of mother-to-mother support groups to conduct screenings for early detection of malnutrition among children under five and pregnant and lactating women. These groups also promote health education and raise awareness to improve prevention, treatment, and referral of common morbidities in the region.
Première Urgence Internationale currently supports 14 health centers, 40 health posts, and one hospital’s Stabilization Center across Ethiopia.It is an active member of the Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), responding to outbreaks and supporting conflict-affected population, IDP and host communities across the country.
Mirko Zappacosta
Country Director for the Ethiopia Mission
“Première Urgence Internationale in Ethiopia provides quality, principled humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, and climate change in some of the country’s most challenging areas.
Together with local communities and health staff, and thanks to the trust of our donors, Première Urgence Internationale teams respond to crises, protect dignity, and help preserve lives and livelihoods.
We believe that everyone has the right to quality health and nutrition services, especially in times of crisis, and we work every day to make that a reality.”
©Première Urgence Internationale
© Première Urgence Internationale
© Première Urgence Internationale
Cooking demonstration © Première Urgence Internationale
mother-to-mother support groups © Première Urgence Internationale
Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism © Première Urgence Internationale
Latest news
Our donors
IFSAN (Aide Alimentaire Programmée)
European Union
SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency)
The Crisis and Support Centre
ET-RRM is a system supported by the European Union and Irish Aid that carries out emergency humanitarian efforts to help people affected by serious crises in Ethiopia
IFSAN (Aide Alimentaire Programmée)
European Union
SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency)
The Crisis and Support Centre
ET-RRM is a system supported by the European Union and Irish Aid that carries out emergency humanitarian efforts to help people affected by serious crises in Ethiopia
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