Forced to Flee: Mother and Children Caught in the Earth Quake Crisis

Diedo, located 240 km east of Addis Ababa in the Amibara district of the Afar region, has become a temporary refuge for over 5,000 IDPs. Half of them are children. Here, makeshift shelters constructed from plastic sheets and sticks stand as the only defence against the unforgiving semi-desert climate, where temperatures rise to 38 degrees Celsius under a relentless sun.

The people sheltering in Diedo fled from the neighbouring Dulecha district which is 30 km away escaping the terrifying consequences of ongoing seismic activity. Frequent earthquakes and the sudden release of underground gases forced them to abandon their homes in search of safety.

The Fentale volcanic complex, part of the Main Ethiopian Rift, has experienced a surge in seismic activity since October 2024. By late December 2024, earthquakes intensified, with multiple quakes of magnitude ranging between 4.5 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shaking the region. The opening of steam vents, spewing hot gas from underground, has only deepened fears that magma movement could lead to an eruption. Between 1 November  2024 and 27 February  2025, almost 300 earthquakes struck the Awash Fentale area, including a powerful magnitude six quake on February 14. Roads, homes, schools, and health centres have suffered extensive damage, leaving thousands in desperate need of assistance.

Local authorities in Afar and Oromia estimate that 90,000 people remain at risk, with approximately 85,000 already displaced—30,000 in Oromia and 55,000 in Afar. Eleven IDP camps, including eight in Afar and three in Oromia, have been quickly set up to accommodate the growing crisis. According to rapid assessments conducted by humanitarian partners in both regions, 70% of those displaced are women and children. 

Children are bearing a heavy burden, as 37 schools—out of 42—have been partially or fully destroyed, leaving 5,330 school-age children without access to education. Along with the trauma of displacement, these children face heightened vulnerability, as many are now exposed to serious health risks, including malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections, due to inadequate sanitation and overcrowded conditions in the IDP camps. Taye Mathewos, WVE’s Earthquake Response Coordinator says, “The lack of safe spaces and proper education further exacerbates the risks, exposing children to protection concerns such as exploitation, neglect, and psychological distress.”

Among the displaced is Akuli, a mother of four from the Dulecha district. Her voice trembles as she recalls the day everything changed:

“We fled our home when the earthquake hit. But it wasn’t just the shaking, it was the terrifying sound, like steam roaring from the earth. It was unlike anything we had ever heard. We ran to save our children and ourselves.”

Her six-year-old daughter, Medina, eyes wide with fear, adds, "The ground was moving under our feet. I thought our house would fall on us. I was so scared, and I just held my mother’s hand as we ran. Before the disaster, Akuli’s family relied on farming and cattle fattening, a livelihood that provided them with stability and dignity. Now, they live in overcrowded conditions at the Diedo IDP site, where necessities are scarce.

“This life is nothing like the one we left behind,” Akuli says, with a heavy voice in grief. “There is no clean water. Food aid is inconsistent. Our children are starving,” she adds. 

To address the urgent humanitarian needs, World Vision Ethiopia (WVE), with funding from the World Food Programme (WFP), has been distributing emergency food assistance to the affected communities. Akuli is one of the recipients of this aid, receiving edible oil, peas, and cash assistance. For her, this support is more than just sustenance—it is survival.

“Today’s food support is lifesaving,” she says, holding the rations close. “It means my children will have something to eat.”

Her six-year-old daughter, smiling brightly said, “This food makes me happy. I can run and play with my friends all day.” 

Yared Ayele, World Vision Ethiopia’s UN Food Resource Operation Manager, surveys the distribution with a sense of urgency and determination. “The food aid is alleviating food insecurity in the camps, especially for children” he states. “It helps ease the persistent hunger, but it is not enough—not yet. We are working closely with WFP and the government to expand our reach and enhance our response.” The effort remains a race against time, a fragile defence against a crisis that threatens to engulf entire communities. So far, World Vision Ethiopia reached over 65,000 displaced people with emergency food distribution.  

Akuli’s gratitude runs deep, but her generosity runs deeper. Despite her struggles, she shares her portion with her neighbours. “I share what I have with my neighbours,” she says. “They have children too, and they did not receive food this time. In our culture, we help each other in whatever way we can.”

The crisis is far from over. Akuli and thousands of others in IDP camps are calling on the government and the international community to strengthen and scale up their support.“We need more help to survive in this place,” she pleads. 

World Vision remains committed to standing with children who are especially vulnerable in displaced communities, working alongside humanitarian partners to expand aid and restore hope. Efforts will continue to provide lifesaving food assistance, and essential services to those in need.

However, the scale of the crisis demands more. Governments, humanitarian organisations, donors, and individuals must act now. Additional support for water, sanitation and hygiene, health, emergency shelter and nutrition services are urgently needed to prevent further suffering and ensure that no family is left behind.

By Daniel Kefela, Communication Manager (NECR), World Vision Ethiopia