ADDIS ABABA – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have signed a renewed Letter of Understanding (LOU) aimed at enhancing support for refugees and host communities across Ethiopia.
The agreement, signed yesterday at the UNICEF Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa, builds on a previous 2016 LOU and will be effective from June 2025 to June 2027. It is designed to reinforce collaborative efforts in refugee protection, with a particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable children and families.
The LOU outlines a framework for joint action in key service areas including education, health, nutrition, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, and youth engagement. Both agencies aim to support national systems while promoting inclusive and equitable services, especially for women, children, and persons with disabilities.
UNICEF Ethiopia Representative Aboubacar Kampo (PhD) described the agreement as a “significant step” in the partnership between the two UN agencies. “By combining our strengths, we can better serve the needs of refugee children and host communities living and working in vulnerable situations in Ethiopia,” he said.
UNHCR Ethiopia Country Representative Andrew Mbogori also welcomed the renewed collaboration. “Our joint efforts will prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of every refugee child, ensuring they have access to protection and opportunities to thrive,” he stated.
The agreement also calls for enhanced resource mobilization and the creation of safe, protective environments to support sustainable solutions for displaced populations and their hosts.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025
