Throughout its history, Ethiopia has faced numerous disaster risks, including frequent floods, droughts, locust infestations, and internal conflicts. Compounded by climate change, these have led to devastating impacts on food security and to the displacement of large populations. As a result, about half of Ethiopia’s 500 woredas (local-level administrative divisions) are considered food insecure and at least 10 million people depend on food aid to survive.

Ethiopia's capacity to respond to these crises is often hindered by limited resources and infrastructure, making it difficult for communities to effectively anticipate and recover from disasters. The EU’s DDRM programme bolsters the resilience of households, communities, and local authorities — particularly in regions most affected by these types of recurring hazards — reducing vulnerability and promoting resilience.

The program strengthened the resilience of households, communities, and local authorities in Ethiopia to manage and adapt to disasters and other risks thus reducing their vulnerability, humanitarian and economic impact, as well as irregular migration and forced displacement. This initiative focused on enhancing capacity and systems at the Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) and five corresponding regional bodies across Amhara, Oromia, Somali, SNNP, and Sidama. Its comprehensive strategy included development and implementation of Woreda Contingency Plans and Disaster Risk Profiles, establishment of a harmonized Early Warning System, and training for local and regional staff on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies and practices. It also supported creation of Contingency Funds and packages of interventions to address specific needs during climate shocks, with attention to gender and disability considerations.

The programme’s main goals were to improve local and regional DRM capacities, provide effective early response mechanisms, and reduce the vulnerability and humanitarian impact of disasters. Key activities included conflict-sensitive programming, peacebuilding initiatives, and the integration of climate-induced internally-displaced persons into host communities. The programme also emphasised strengthening governance structures to prevent conflicts, sharing resources equitably, and enhancing systems for mobility and access to essential resources.

The overall strategy focused on enhancing early response and disaster risk management through investments in pre-agreed disaster planning, Early Warning Systems, and preparedness activities, which enabled local governments and communities to better withstand and cope with shocks.

Specific results achieved include:

Result 1: Improved implementation capacity of DRM institutions, especially on DRR at the Woreda level.

• Developed and internalised the use of financial management and grant management guidelines to empower staff at EDRMC and in regions to more effectively manage grants.
• Conducted a training needs assessment, prepared training module templates, and facilitated training in financial management and Disaster Risk Management to more than 7,000 participants from five regions and the EDRMC.
• Supported the adoption of gender-sensitive crisis response and DRR in a community-level planning process that was piloted in 10 woredas across the country’s five regions.
• Provided technical support to all five regions in developing or strengthening regulations around establishment and use of Contingency Funds for disaster response.

Result 2: Improved coordination of all stakeholders involved in preparedness and early response

• Facilitated establishment of Ethiopia’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Platform.
• Participated in development of the Ethiopia National Early Warning System Road Map 2022–2030.

Result 3: Improved capacity for high-level policy dialogue on DRM within Ethiopia and internationally

• Coordinated dialogue between federal and regional DRR/DRM stakeholders to develop concept notes and present the progress of DRM decentralization in Ethiopia.
• Facilitated international learning visits to South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre by Ethiopian Federal and regional DRM Commissioners and DRR experts.

Result 4: Improved DRM knowledge management in Ethiopia

• Assessed information technology systems and capabilities across regions; provided technical support and advice to improve and upgrade hardware and software.
• Integrated a web portal (geospatial database, digital library, and early warning system data) with region-based systems to assist regional and local-level DRM and DRR planners, decision-makers and practitioners in organising DRM-related knowledge.
• Agreed on a plan with EDRMC management and its Deputy Commissioner to train users and launch the system.
• Led review of the methodology to develop Woreda Disaster Risk Profiles.