Established in 2006, the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF) responds to conflict-related crises and disasters triggered by natural hazards, such as droughts, floods and disease outbreaks. Since its inception, the EHF has mobilized US$537.2 million and allocated $527.8 million to 874 projects through 59 partners, including United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The EHF continues to play an important role as a timely and flexible financing mechanism, supporting the humanitarian community to achieve its goals by funding the most critical needs in response to El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole-driven droughts, and to displacement due to drought and conflict. Contributing donors in 2018 included Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Objectives of the EHF

The EHF is primarily aligned to support the delivery of humanitarian response identified under the Humanitarian Response Document (HRD) and supporting cluster strategies, but while retaining the flexibility to allocate funds to unforeseen emergency needs. In the event of a serious refugee crisis/influx, the EHF provides seed money to projects supported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that are in line with its strategic goals to kick-start the response.

The EHF has the following main objectives:

1. To ensure more adequate, timely, flexible and effective humanitarian financing through the use of the pooled-funding mechanism
2. To ensure well-prioritized use of resources, primarily in support of the needs and strategies outlined in the national HRD
3. To empower the HC to enhance coordination
4. To support coordination efforts through the cluster approach
5. To improve partnerships between UN and non-UN actors

An effective tool to address needs

Donor contributions to the EHF are unearmarked. The HC allocates funding through a consultative process, based on identified humanitarian needs and priorities at the country level. Inclusiveness, flexibility, timeliness, efficiency, partnership, transparency and value for money are the principles that underpin the use of the EHF.