As international aid groups scale back operations in Ethiopia, Catholic-run initiatives like those supported by the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) remain critical lifelines for millions facing acute food insecurity. The U.S. government’s 2025 freeze of aid funding, coupled with rising conflicts and climate crises, has left families like Feven Alem’s in desperate straits, relying on religious organizations to provide meals, healthcare, and shelter.
Church Aid Programs Fill Void as International Support Wanes in Ethiopia
Feven Alem’s Struggle: A Microcosm of Widespread Crisis
Feven Alem, a 32-year-old Eritrean refugee in Addis Ababa, exemplifies the human toll of aid cuts. With two children suffering from autism and no legal right to work, she chains them to beds while scavenging for food. “My life has been going downhill,” she says, awaiting monthly support from the Jesuit Refugee Service (J.R.S.). The U.S. aid freeze has eroded services like psychological care, education, and housing assistance, leaving tens of thousands vulnerable.
“We are on the verge of starvation,” says Weinshet Gezaw, a mother of twins in Mendida, a rural area now flooded with displaced families. Her children rely on a CNEWA-funded clinic run by the Congregation of Divine Providence. “The little we eat comes from the Catholic Church,” she adds, highlighting the church’s role as a last resort for the destitute.
Religious Organizations Step In as Global Aid Retreats
With international groups like the World Food Programme (WFP) redirecting resources to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, Ethiopia’s most vulnerable face a stark reality. The WFP reported in May that security issues, including kidnappings, hinder aid delivery in conflict zones like Tigray, where 80% of the population once depended on humanitarian support. Today, the Ethiopian Catholic Church remains one of the few providers of education and healthcare in the region.
Sister Dinknesh Getachew, administrator of a clinic in Mendida, describes the strain: “We are doing our very best as we produce food and offer essential services even as we race against time.” Her facility sees malnourished children and mothers like Feleku Agonafer, a 43-year-old HIV-positive woman who relies on the clinic for her daughter’s daily meal.
Climate, Conflict, and Economic Collapse Deepen Crisis
Ethiopia’s food insecurity is worsening due to prolonged droughts, conflict, and economic collapse. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates 10 million people will face acute food insecurity this year. The 2025 U.S. aid freeze, which cut $480.5 million in humanitarian funding, has exacerbated the crisis, leaving organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to warn of “extreme food insecurity” in the Somali region.
Meanwhile, the federal government has introduced a levy on telecommunications and online transfers to fund disaster response. However, this measure, combined with rising food prices due to global supply chain disruptions, has left families like Aberash Abebe’s in a crumbling mud hut, struggling to feed her newborn.
Regional Displacement and the Rise of ‘Hope Villages’
Over 2.5 million to 4.5 million Ethiopians have been displaced by conflict and food shortages, with many migrating to remote areas like Mendida. These “hope villages” now host refugees from South Sudan, Eritrea, and Sudan, but lack infrastructure to support the influx. In the Amhara and Oromia regions, climate-driven droughts and kidnappings of aid workers have forced organizations to suspend operations, leaving communities to rely on religious groups.
“The dream of self-sufficiency remains elusive,” says Weinshet Gezaw, who once ran a business in Addis Ababa before losing her home to urban development. Her story reflects a broader trend: as global aid dwindles, faith-based programs are filling the gap, albeit with limited resources.
What’s Next for Ethiopia’s Aid Landscape?
Experts warn that without renewed international support, Ethiopia’s crisis will deepen. The Mercy Corps report highlights how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, linked to Middle East conflicts, are driving up food and fuel prices, complicating the upcoming farming season. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government’s reliance on domestic levies and donor appeals may not be enough to avert catastrophe.
For families like Feven Alem’s, the stakes are life or death. “A sort of death sentence,” she says, describing the fear of her children starving. As global attention shifts, the role of church-run aid programs may determine whether millions survive the coming months.
FAQ: Understanding Ethiopia’s Aid Crisis
What is the current state of food security in Ethiopia?
Over 10 million people face acute food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Prolonged droughts, conflict, and the 2025 U.S. aid freeze have worsened the crisis, with many relying on religious organizations for basic needs.
How are religious groups addressing the crisis?
Catholic-run programs, such as those supported by CNEWA, provide food, healthcare, and shelter to displaced families. In regions like Tigray and Mendida, the Ethiopian Catholic Church remains a key provider of education and medical services, despite limited resources.
Why are international aid groups leaving Ethiopia?
Organizations like the WFP have redirected efforts to global hotspots, including the Middle East and Ukraine, due to security risks and funding constraints. Conflict, kidnappings, and the U.S. aid freeze have made it difficult for humanitarian workers to reach vulnerable populations.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was Ethiopia’s largest humanitarian donor in 2024, providing $480.5 million in aid. Its 2025 funding freeze has left a significant gap in relief efforts.
Pro Tips for Supporting Ethiopia’s Crisis
Support organizations like CNEWA and Doctors Without Borders, which provide on-the-ground aid. Advocate for policy changes to restore international funding and address climate-related food insecurity in the Horn of Africa.
Take Action: Support Ethical Aid Efforts
Learn more about Ethiopia’s crisis and how you can help. Visit CNEWA’s website to explore donation opportunities or volunteer with local initiatives. Every contribution can make a difference in the lives of families like Feven Alem’s.
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