Desperation Grows Among Displaced Communities in Debre Birhan Camps

By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Writer

April 1, 2025 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering in camps across Debre Birhan, Amhara region, are struggling with worsening living conditions and severe shortages of food and basic necessities. Many, including children, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and those with mental health conditions, describe an ongoing battle against hunger, cold, and deteriorating health.

The displaced communities, some of whom have lived in camps for years, report receiving inadequate and often expired food supplies. IDPs in China Camp (housing 11,000 people), Bakelo Camp (5,000 people), and Woinshet Camp (over 7,000 people) have raised concerns about the quality and frequency of food distributions.

“The corn we receive is expired. It’s not fit to eat or sell,” one displaced person told local media. Despite reporting this issue to authorities, they claim no viable solution has been offered beyond promises of financial subsidies that never materialized.

Each individual receives only 15 kilograms of corn every two to three months—without additional food items like oil or vegetables. As a result, many are forced to barter portions of their limited corn supply just to obtain essentials such as onions. This practice, they say, dramatically shortens their already meager rations, leaving them hungry most of the time.

Additionally, local dietary preferences further complicate the issue. Residents of Debre Birhan do not traditionally consume corn, making it difficult for IDPs to have their grain processed at local mills, exacerbating their struggle for sustenance.

Beyond food shortages, the displaced communities are also struggling to survive the harsh, cold climate of Debre Birhan. Many lack blankets and proper clothing, leaving them vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

“Some people have become paralyzed because they are forced to sleep on hard cement floors without mattresses or foam,” one camp resident lamented.

Orphaned children, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities are among the most affected by the extreme conditions, with many fearing the situation will only deteriorate further if immediate aid is not provided.

Many IDPs had hoped to return to their homes in Oromia, but ongoing security concerns make that impossible. Others were promised relocation to safer areas but say those plans have yet to materialize.

“We don’t feel safe going back, and we were told we would be moved to another site, but nothing has happened yet,” one displaced person explained.

In desperation, IDPs are calling on the government, humanitarian organizations, and charitable individuals to provide urgent assistance, particularly in the form of food, shelter, and medical aid.

The crisis in Debre Birhan reflects a broader humanitarian emergency across the Amhara region. According to the Amhara Regional Food and Relief Commission, over 664,000 IDPs rely on government and international aid. A report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that between May and September 2024, over 76,000 people were newly displaced, with many now living in overcrowded and deteriorating shelters.

The Global Shelter Cluster (GSC), an international humanitarian coordination body, warns that conditions in IDP sites across Amhara are dire. Overcrowding, prolonged use of shelters, and lack of maintenance have left many structures uninhabitable. Debre Birhan, in particular, has seen its resources stretched to breaking point, increasing risks of protection concerns, including gender-based violence.

Despite the urgent need for intervention, humanitarian responses have been slow due to funding shortages and operational challenges. “Over the past two years, only a small number of IDPs have received essential non-food items,” GSC reported.

The displaced communities of Debre Birhan remain trapped in a cycle of uncertainty and suffering. With winter approaching, their situation is growing more desperate. Without immediate intervention, the humanitarian crisis in Amhara will only deepen, leaving thousands without hope.

The question remains: Will help arrive in time?

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