On The Ground: APDA's Work in Conflict Affected Northern Afar

6 November 2026

In late September, violence broke out across northern Ethiopia, dramatically affecting the work of our partner APDA in the Afar region.

We have been in contact with Valeire Browning, and she informed us that her team conducted a rapid assessment visit to the conflict affected areas, helping displaced people and affected communities.

They also sought to hear from government and community leaders about practical solutions to urgent needs, discussed APDA's ongoing work in the north and explored coordinated ways for clan leaders and governments to support communities amid the breakout of conflict, drought and other impacts.

Valerie said that displacement is the primary shock of this conflict.

People have been slow and cautious to return to their homes as they fear renewed violence. In all cases of need, it is mothers and caretakers who have felt the brunt of this fighting, as they battle issues of hunger while protecting dependent family members from danger.

This conflict has affected people across northern Ethiopia, from the rural Aba'ala to the Magaale and Erebti districts. In the latter, nearly 30,000 people reportedly fled their homes, with many having not returned at the time of their visit.

Based on their assessment, this conflict has compounded pre-existing drought-related vulnerability, and heightened displacement, loss of livestock and goods and disrupment of markets and communications. It has resulted in reduced access to health, education, water and other essential services. 

The highest need right now, Valerie says, is food.

For those directly affected by conflict, they need immediate food assistance for at least a month, given their displacement and limited market for livestock. More broadly, access to markets and banks have been affected, causing signficant disruption to daily life.

We thank our partners at APDA for their updates and will keep you informed of all the work that they are doing to aid those displaced across Afar.

If you wish to donate to support the work that we are doing in the region, you can do so here.

Information in this article reflects reports available as of 6 November 2026. The situation remains fluid and may change rapidly.