ethiopia travel update

Ethiopia Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Ethiopia

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Ready to travel?

Find flights to ethiopia, find stays in ethiopia, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to Ethiopia from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ethiopia.

Can I travel to Ethiopia if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Ethiopia without restrictions.

Can I travel to Ethiopia without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Ethiopia without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Ethiopia?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Ethiopia.

Can I travel to Ethiopia without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Ethiopia?

Mask usage in Ethiopia is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Ethiopia?

Restaurants in Ethiopia are . Bars in Ethiopia are .

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Ethiopia travel advice

Latest updates: Editorial change

Last updated: June 5, 2024 06:24 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, ethiopia - avoid non-essential travel.

This advisory excludes Addis Ababa where you should exercise a high degree of caution.

Additional regional advice and advisories are in effect. Our ability to provide consular assistance is limited in some regions.

Addis Ababa - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Addis Ababa due to the high crime rate and the risk of spontaneous demonstrations becoming violent. Ongoing armed conflict and civil unrest in other parts of the country could spread to major cities without warning.

Northern regions - Avoid all travel

• Benishangul-Gumuz
• northward to Adigrat along road A2
• west and northwest to Abiy Addi, Adwa and Shire along B30 and C23
• soutward to Maychew along road A2

Central regions - Avoid all travel

• North Shewa
• West Shewa, except the A4 highway, from Addis to and including Ambo where you should avoid non-essential travel
• West Wollega
• East Wollega
• Kellem Wollega
• Horo Gudru Wollega

Border areas - Avoid all travel

• 10 km of the border with Eritrea
• 100 km of the Somali region border with Somalia and Kenya
• 30 km of the border with Somalia in Fafan zone, except for road C104, the town of Wajale and its border crossing where you should avoid non-essential travel
• 10 km of the border with Somalia in the Sitti zone
• 20 km of the border with Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan

Back to top

The situation is volatile and unpredictable in several areas throughout the country due to ethnic conflicts. Violent clashes occur, especially near regional borders. 

Frequent incidents of civil unrest can lead to violence. Sporadic roadblocks, curfews and disruptions to telecommunications services are possible throughout the country.

If you travel to Ethiopia:

• expect a heightened security presence
• ensure that your travel documents are up to date
• carry identification documents at all times
• make sure to stop at all checkpoints and roadblocks, even if they appear unattended
• if you are stopped by security forces, stay calm and follow instructions

Amhara region

The state of emergency, declared by the Ethiopian authorities on August 14, 2023, remains in effect in the Amhara region due to continued clashes between armed groups and security forces.

While a state of emergency is in effect, police and military have the power to:

• restrict freedom of movement and assembly
• enter private properties to conduct searches
• detain persons of interest

There is increasing and spreading violence in the Amhara region. The majority of the instability is taking place in towns and villages along the A2 and B22 highways, as well as along the southern part of the A3 highway. The cities of Lalibela, Bahir Dar and Gondar have also been affected. The safety and security situation is changing rapidly and includes violent clashes between armed groups in and around cities, towns and airports. Road blocks and curfews are also being used to restrict movements.

Due to the potential for violence to increase and spread in this region, you are at high risk of encountering movement restrictions and having no access to communications.

If you are in the Amhara region affected by the armed conflict:

• monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• shelter-in-place until the situation stabilizes and until it is safe to leave the region (flights and land transportation may be disrupted)
• register with ROCA ( https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration ) to receive important safety updates from the Government of Canada
• contact the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa by email if you require consular assistance: [email protected]

Violent clashes between armed groups occur. Inter-ethnic disputes in Amhara have resulted in casualties, including civilians. Although foreigners are   generally not targeted, there is a risk that you could be caught up in violence.

Tigray region

A cessation of hostilities agreement was signed on November 2, 2022 between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), after two years of armed conflict. The agreement has yet to be fully implemented and there remains uncertainty regarding its implications for security in the region.

Travel in and out of the Tigray region can be restricted without notice and food insecurity remains a major concern. Heightened security measures are in place.

Danakil Depression (Afar region)

Foreign tourists were targeted by armed groups in the past.

If you decide to travel to the Danakil Depression:

• always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company escorted by official security forces
• be aware of excessive heat and difficult terrain
• maintain a full tank of gas
• keep a supply of water and non-perishable snacks

Border areas

Border areas, including regional borders, often see higher criminal activity and violence, including in rural areas. Confrontations between organized criminal groups, ethnic groups, and Ethiopian authorities pose a risk.

The border with Eritrea is still a heavily militarized security corridor despite the peace agreement signed in 2018. Armed conflict could erupt without notice. Due to the conflict in Tigray, border roads and border crossings with Eritrea are closed. Conditions at the border may change without notice. Landmines pose a risk.

Inter-ethnic conflicts and banditry are frequent near the border with Kenya. Security forces regularly carry out military operations, which periodically raises tensions.

Cross-border violence also occurs. Armed groups hostile to the Government of Ethiopia operate in several areas near the border.

Terrorists maintain a presence in this area, and ethnic conflict has been reported. This includes but is not limited to the Konso Zone and surrounding areas. Kidnapping also poses a risk in this area.

Sporadic armed clashes over disputed land occur. The risk of terrorism and kidnapping is high in this area.  Landmines pose a threat to safety.

South Sudan

Ethnic tensions and sporadic violence are common. Ethnic militias from South Sudan have crossed into Ethiopia to attack rival communities. The security situation is extremely unstable. The threat of violent crime, civil unrest and tribal clashes is high. Kidnapping and landmines pose a threat to safety.

Gambella region

Ethnic conflict, violent crime and sporadic violence are of concern in the city of Gambella and its surrounding areas. Armed clashes have caused casualties and damage to foreign companies’ installations in the area.

Somali region

Terrorist groups maintain a presence in Somali towns near the Ethiopian border, presenting a risk for cross-border attacks and kidnappings. Violent crime, including armed robbery, occurs. Violent clashes between armed groups and security forces, as well as ethnic violent, are common. Landmines pose a threat to safety.

Oromia region

Demonstrations, civil unrest, violent crime, armed conflicts, and clashes between security forces and armed groups occur in Oromia, including in areas bordering Amhara. There is a threat of kidnapping. Roadside attacks have also taken place.  These incidents are particularly prevalent in the following zones:

• West Wellega and the main Addis Ababa to Gambella road (A4 highway)
• East Wellega
• Kellem Wellega
• Horro-Guduru Wellega

The security situation could deteriorate without warning. A heightened security presence remains throughout these areas. Local authorities may impose curfews without notice. Internet and cellular data outages could occur.

• avoid military, police and security installations
• exercise extreme caution
• follow the advice of local authorities

Benishangul Gumuz region

Civil unrest, including armed conflicts, has resulted in deaths. Violent clashes can occur without warning due to local ethnic tensions.

Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region

Armed conflicts and civil unrest have occurred sporadically across the region.  These have led to casualties and mass arrests. Residents have also randomly attacked cars and disrupted road travel. Militia attacks have also occurred. 

The security situation could deteriorate without warning. A heightened security presence remains throughout these areas. Local authorities may impose curfews without notice. Internet and cellular data outages could occur. 

Kidnapping occurs, especially in the Somali, Gambella and Oromia regions, as well as in the border areas with Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea (Danakil Depression).

If you are travelling in a region prone to kidnapping:

• get professional security advice
• arrange for personal security
• change your travel patterns regularly
• be aware of your surroundings
• avoid displaying signs of affluence
• don’t travel alone

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and mugging, occurs, especially in Addis Ababa. Incidents are mostly opportunistic. However, they have been increasingly reported in the following areas:

• the Bole Medhanealem
• the Bole Atlas
• the Meskel Square
• the Merkato

Theft from parked cars and burglaries in vacant residences also occur, especially in rural areas, where the police response is limited.

Crime significantly increases after dark.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas
• Avoid displaying any signs of affluence in public
• Avoid walking alone after sundown
• Choose living accommodations that have good security measures
• Keep car doors locked while you’re in your vehicle
• Park your car in a well-lit and guarded area
• Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance
• If threatened, hand over valuables without resistance
• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Violent crime

Violent crime is rare in Addis Ababa, but happens. Westerners have been victims of armed assaults and muggings.

If threatened:

• stay calm and don’t resist
• comply with the robbers’ requests

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Demonstrations take place regularly, especially across the Oromia region and Addis Ababa. They can occur without warning. Ethnic tensions and territorial disputes in this area have led to demonstrations and civil unrest near the regional state borders.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

There is a threat of terrorism.   Regional terror groups continue to threaten Western interests and other potential targets in Ethiopia, including in Addis Ababa.  Domestic terror groups also pose an increased threat in some regions, like the Somali region.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Ethiopia is primarily a cash-based economy but credit card and ATM fraud may sometimes occur, especially in large cities. There have been reports of unauthorized charges. Connectivity issues may also be a problem.

Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Outages and shortages

Power outages are frequent nationwide, particularly during the dry season from November to June. Local authorities may impose power rationing.

Not all buildings have generators. Outages can result in lack of street lighting, restaurants and supermarkets without adequate refrigeration, and gas stations unable to supply fuel.

Communications

Although there are some plans to improve the network, cellular coverage is unreliable and connectivity remains an issue in several parts of the country.

Local authorities also control telecommunications and may shut down both cell phone and internet systems during periods of civil unrest or ahead of a large planned protest.

You should not rely on your cell phone in case of emergency, especially outside major cities.

• Avoid travelling alone
• Inform relatives of your itinerary

Fuel and food

Periodic fuel and food shortages occur. This may create social tensions and increase food prices.

• Carry flashlights
• Plan to have adequate water, food and fuel supplies

Road safety

Driving standards, vehicle maintenance and road conditions are often poor throughout the country. Traffic accidents are a regular occurrence, especially in Addis Ababa and on the Addis Ababa–Djibouti road.

Apart from major arteries, roads are generally unpaved. They often lack markings and signage, reflectors and shoulders, even in urban areas. They are poorly lit and maintained.

Drivers often drive at excessive speed and don’t respect traffic laws. They may be reckless. Poorly maintained vehicles, roaming animals and pedestrians pose further hazards. Armed robbery, carjacking and landmines also pose a threat, especially in border areas

There is no road assistance and emergency services are limited to nonexistent in several areas. Although improving, the cellular coverage remains unstable outside main cities.

• Avoid driving after dark
• Always keep your gas tank full when in remote areas
• Always carry a first-aid kit, as medical facilities are often undersupplied
• Advise a relative of your anticipated itinerary and route
• If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and don’t attempt to pass it
• Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or emergency contacts

Traffic accidents occur regularly throughout Ethiopia. Traffic often moves unpredictably.

Under Ethiopian law, it is illegal to move your vehicle before a police officer arrives if an accident occurs. Large crowd may gather and could become hostile and aggressive.

If involved in an accident:

• avoid confrontation
• call the local police and remain at the scene of the accident until they arrive
• should you feel unsafe, leave immediately and report the incident to the nearest police station

Public transportation

Most public transport is unregulated and unsafe. Hire private transport from a reliable source or use transportation provided by your hotel.

Minibuses and large buses are often old, poorly maintained and overcrowded.

Some buses have been attacked on their way from one region to another.

Only use buses from the airport that have been organised by your hotel or your tour operator.

Rail services are limited and trains are poorly maintained. Avoid travelling by train.

Taxis are generally unsafe.

If travelling by taxi:

• only use metered taxis
• choose yellow taxis rather than white or blue ones
• make sure you are the only passenger in the vehicle

Hiking in the Danakil Depression

Weather conditions in the Danakil depression area can be fairly arid. Facilities are basic. There is no running water and medical options are very limited.

You should prepare for excessive heat and difficult terrain, namely around the Erta Ale Volcano.

If you intend on hiking in this area despite the advisory in place:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to harassment and verbal abuse.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from Ethiopian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Ethiopia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Transit visa: required

Canadians must have a valid visa to enter the country. You may obtain a visa online. If you overstay your visa, you may face daily fines and imprisonment.

You need the proper visa if you want to conduct a business or volunteering activity. If you fail to do so, you may be fined or detained.

• Obtain a visa online before arrival
• Verify carefully that your visa is valid
• Ensure that your activities in the country adhere to the type of visa you have obtained

Ethiopian e-Visa  – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Other entry requirements

Authorities may request additional documents if you attempt to enter Ethiopia by vehicle at certain border crossings.

Contact the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, to determine specific entry requirements at land borders.

• Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are arriving from Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, or Venezuela or have transited through an airport in one of these countries.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

This destination is in the African Meningitis Belt, an area which has the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the world. Meningococcal disease is a serious and sometimes fatal infection. 

Travellers who are at higher risk should discuss vaccination with a health care provider. High-risk travellers include those living or working with the local population (e.g., health care workers) or those travelling to crowded areas or taking part in large gatherings.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this country as no longer poliovirus-infected but at high risk of an outbreak . Polio can be prevented by vaccination.

Recommendations:

• Be sure that your polio vaccinations are up to date before travelling. Polio is part of the routine vaccine schedule for children in Canada.
• One booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended as an adult .

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Cholera is a risk in parts of this country. Most travellers are at very low risk.

To protect against cholera, all travellers should practise safe food and water precautions .

Travellers at higher risk of getting cholera include those:

• visiting, working or living in areas with limited access to safe food, water and proper sanitation
• visiting areas where outbreaks are occurring

Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk travellers, and should be discussed with a health care professional.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Cutaneous and mucosal   leishmaniasis   causes skin sores and ulcers. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Visceral  leishmaniasis   (or kala azar) affects the bone marrow and internal organs. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion or sharing contaminated needles. If left untreated it can cause death. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres. There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness)   is an eye and skin disease caused by a parasite spread through the bite of an infected female blackfly.  Onchocerciasis often leads to blindness if left untreated. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from blackfly bites, which are most common close to fast-flowing rivers and streams. There is no vaccine available for onchocerciasis although drug treatments exist.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Rift Valley fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can be fatal. It is spread to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, from the bite of an infected mosquito, or eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from insect bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock, and unpasteurized dairy. There is no vaccine available for Rift Valley fever.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria. People can get sick with anthrax if they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Travellers to areas where anthrax is common or where an outbreak is occurring in animals can get sick with anthrax if:

• they have contact with infected animal carcasses or eat meat from animals that were sick when slaughtered
• they handle animal parts, such as hides, wool or hair, or products made from those animal parts, such as animal hide drums.

If you are visiting these areas, do not eat raw or undercooked meat and avoid contact with livestock, wildlife, animal products, and animal carcasses.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate, except in private hospitals of Addis Ababa where you can expect reasonable standard of basic care for minor health problems. Otherwise, health facilities are not up to Canadian standards. They lack of personnel, equipment, supplies and medications.

Ambulance services are extremely limited and unreliable.

Ensure that you always carry a comprehensive medical pack when travelling.

You will likely need medical evacuation in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Altitude sickness

Addis Ababa is located about 2500 metres above sea level. Acute mountain sickness may occur at high altitudes.

Be well informed about the potential health hazards at high altitudes.

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Death penalty

Ethiopian authorities may apply the death penalty for serious offences.

All illicit drugs are illegal except khat, a local stimulant. Khat is illegal in several countries. Don’t attempt to export it.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

Ethiopia is used as a drug trafficking hub between Western markets and southern Asia for heroin.

• Carry only your personal belongings, and don’t leave them unattended
• Don’t agree to carry packages that are not your own

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Ethiopian law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted can face up to 15 years in prison.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Ethiopia.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Ethiopia.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of Ethiopia, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Ethiopia.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Ethiopia by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Ethiopia to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Identification

You must carry photo ID with you at all times, as local authorities can ask you to prove your identity.

Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place, in case it is lost or confiscated.

It’s illegal to carry a firearm in Ethiopia.

It’s illegal to own any quantity of ivory, including in jewellery.

Antiques or religious paraphernalia

You may not export real antiques or religious items.

Tourist souvenirs are often copies of Ethiopian antiques or religious paraphernalia.

If buying such items, ensure that you have a receipt, clearly indicating that it’s a souvenir and not authentic. However, be aware that authorities may confiscate items purchased for export or for personal use, especially ceremonial knives, even if you present a receipt.

Photography

It’s strictly prohibited to photograph:

• military installations
• police and military personnel
• industrial facilities
• government buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams and airfields

Never stop near a restricted area, no matter the reason, on foot or in a vehicle.

Street vendors

It is illegal to give money to, or purchase something from, people who approach vehicles stopped in traffic, including children.

If caught, both the beggar/vendor and the vehicle operator face fines.

Social media

Writing on blogs or social media about political subjects could lead to detention and arrest.

Cell phones

You can use one cell phone or tablet on the network of the sole, state-owned telecommunications provider, Ethio Telecom.

Additional devices are subject to a customs fee of 10% of the total cost of the device, as well as the activation fee.

Other electronic devices

You must declare all laptop computers and video equipment other than those for personal use upon arrival and departure. Some recording devices may require special customs permits.

If you will be using these items for work, obtain permission to bring them into the country from the Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa or the Consulate of Ethiopia in Toronto.

Foreign representatives in Canada

In 2025, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around February 28.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, be discreet when:

Orthodox Christian

The Ethiopian highlands population is predominantly Orthodox Christian. There is fasting in this region every Wednesday and Friday, and during Lent.

• Always obtain permission from religious authorities before visiting churches
• Dress conservatively, behave discreetly, and respect religious traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities

Time of day

Many people in Ethiopia use the Ethiopian clock.

According to the Ethiopian clock, unlike the convention in most countries, the start of the day is dawn rather than midnight. As a result, daytime hours are counted beginning from what would be 6 a.m. For instance, the time at one hour after dawn – 7 a.m. –  would be 1 a.m. on the Ethiopian clock.

Most hotels and larger organisations, including all airlines, use the global clock. However, many individuals or smaller organisations continue to use the Ethiopian clock.

Check with your host if you are unsure which clock is being used for a meeting or an event.

You must have a local driver’s licence to drive in Ethiopia. You must present your valid Canadian driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit to obtain one.

If you're involved in an accident, don’t move your vehicle before a police officer arrives. It's illegal to do so.

International Driving Permit

The currency of Ethiopia is the birr (ETB).

Credit cards are not widely accepted except by large hotels, travel agencies and a few shops and restaurants in Addis Ababa. ATMs are very limited outside urban areas and may run out of cash without notice.

Make sure you have access to hard-currency cash in case of emergency.

It is illegal to enter or exit Ethiopia with more than 1,000 birr.

You may enter or exit Ethiopia with up to US$3,000 or its equivalent in any convertible foreign currency. This doesn’t include birr. However:

• if you enter with more, you must declare the funds upon arrival
• a bank document certifying the purchase of the foreign currency and approving travel with the funds or
• a customs declaration form made upon entry

Be aware that even the provision of such documents may not safeguard you against confiscation of the extra funds, imprisonment or fines. Policies may change at any time without notice.

Exchanging money on the black market is illegal. Exchange foreign currency at banks or official foreign exchange offices only as you may face heavy fines or detention.

Due to below-average rainfall for several years in a row, Ethiopia is experiencing severe drought.

Local services and the availability of water and basic food may be affected.

You may encounter difficulties travelling overland.

Rainy season

The rainy season normally extends from June to September. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. 

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including road conditions
• Stay away from flooded areas
• Follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders

Earthquakes

Ethiopia is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes may occur.

Earthquakes - What to Do?  

Local services

In case of emergency, dial 991.

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Register to vote Register by 18 June to vote in the General Election on 4 July.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Ethiopia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how Ethiopia’s entry requirements apply to you, contact the Ethiopian Embassy in the UK . 

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for passengers entering Ethiopia. 

Passport validity requirements 

Your passport must be: 

• valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Ethiopia 
• machine-readable 

Visa requirements 

You need a visa and a valid travel document to enter Ethiopia, including a passport or emergency travel document (ETD). Visitors without valid documents can be detained and fined. 

You do not need a visa if you have a valid Ethiopian Diplomatic ID Card, Ethiopian Temporary Residents Permit or Ethiopian Origin ID (Yellow Cards).

Leave the country before your visa expires or get an official extension if needed. The penalty for overstaying is 10 US dollars a day. You will not be allowed to leave until you pay in full.  

Available visa lengths are 30 days or 90 days, with extensions available for an additional 30 or 90 days. 

Applying for a visa  

Get a visa from the official Ethiopian e-visa platform .   

If you visit Ethiopia on a tourist visa, you cannot take employment, including voluntary employment. If you break the rules, you can get heavy fines or be imprisoned. 

Vaccination requirements  

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need in TravelHealthPro’s Ethiopia guide. You may need a yellow fever certificate.  

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Ethiopia.

If you plan to take in specialist equipment, the Ethiopian Embassy in London advises you check with your tour operator or local contact before you travel as special customs regulations may apply.  

Contact the Press Office for more information and advice .

Taking money into Ethiopia 

You can carry up to 3,000 Ethiopian birr when entering or leaving Ethiopia. An exception is when travelling to Djibouti from Ethiopia, in which case you can carry up to 10,000 birr. Your cash can be seized and you could get a prison sentence if you go over the limits. 

When you enter or leave Ethiopia, you must declare any cash over 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent in other currencies). Residents of Ethiopia, including resident British nationals, must declare any cash over 4,000 US dollars.

If you leave Ethiopia by airplane with cash above these amounts, you must show the customs declaration form you got when you entered Ethiopia, or the bank advice note if you purchased currency locally.  

If leaving by land with amounts over the stipulated limits, you must show the customs documents given when you arrived in the country. 

If entering Ethiopia through a land border you must declare cash over 500 US dollars (or equivalent). 

Keep your receipt if you change currency into birr. Without a receipt you are unlikely to be able to change leftover money back at the end of your trip.  

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

Reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia overall due to the risk of civil unrest and the threat of armed conflict.

Other levels apply in some areas.

Ethiopia (PDF 807.58 KB)

Africa (PDF 1.68 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 991 or go to the hospital.

Call 991 or go to the local police station.

Advice levels

Reconsider your need to travel to Ethiopia overall.

Do not travel to: 

• Tigray Regional State
• Amhara Regional State
• Benishangul-Gumu Regional State
• Gambela Regional States
• Within 30km of the border with Tigray Regional State and Amhara Regional State in Afar Regional State 
• Kelam Welega, West Welega, East Welega, Horo Guduru Welega, North Shewa, West Shewa, Bale and Borena in Oromia Regional State 
• Somali Regional State except for Nogob, Erer, Sitti and up to 40km of Ethiopia’s border with Somalia in Fafan 
• the border areas of Ethiopia  with Eritrea (including Danakil Depression), Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia (including parts of Somaliland)

Do not travel  to the following locations due to the security situation including the risk of terrorist attacks, kidnapping, civil unrest and armed conflict: 

Exercise a high degree of caution  in  Addis Ababa and central Ethiopia. 

Exercise a high degree of caution  in  Addis Ababa and central Ethiopia due to the security situation.

• The security situation in Ethiopia is dynamic and could deteriorate without warning. Roads can be closed at any time, and communications may not be reliable. We advise against all road travel outside of major cities. 
• A state of emergency is in place in Amhara Regional State. We continue to advise do not travel due to the volatile security situation. 
• Ethiopia’s borders with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan are high-risk areas. If, despite our advice, you plan to travel to these areas, you should get professional security advice.
• Terrorists have reportedly been planning attacks in Ethiopia. Attacks could occur with little or no warning. Possible targets include hotels, markets, places of worship, government buildings, transport hubs and aircraft. Avoid possible targets. Maintain a high level of alertness, particularly on days of national significance.
• The risk of kidnapping is high in some parts of Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia and the southern parts of Somali Regional States and near the borders with Somalia, South Sudan and Kenya. Several active terrorist groups have the intent and capability to kidnap foreigners. 
• Violent assaults can occur, and foreigners may be targets. Be aware in areas around Meskel Square, Hyatt Regency, Hilton and Sheraton hotels, Yeka Hills/Entoto and Bole Road. Don't walk alone or at night. Petty crime, particularly pickpocketing, is common in Addis Ababa. 

Full travel advice: Safety

• Health facilities are limited in Addis Ababa. You can contact the Australian Embassy in Addis Ababa for a list of known medical providers.
• In rural areas, facilities are inadequate. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need medical evacuation out of the country. Ensure your health insurance covers this. The availability and timeliness of medical evacuation services may be affected.
• Yellow fever is widespread in Ethiopia. Get vaccinated before you travel. Malaria is present everywhere in Ethiopia except Addis Ababa and areas above 2000m. Consider taking anti-malarial medication.
• HIV/AIDS is widespread. Take precautions if you're taking part in high-risk activities.
• Ethiopia is free of wild poliovirus. However, the disease may still come in from nearby countries. Some cases of the rarer vaccine-derived strain of polio have been found in Ethiopia. Check your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

Full travel advice: Health

You should comply with the law, including on carrying identification documents at all times, possession of foreign currency and possession of weapons. You should avoid confrontation and follow the instructions of the authorities.

• Ethiopian laws can be quite different from Australia and penalties may appear harsh by Australian standards. Get professional advice if you're involved in legal matters.
• If you're in a road accident, don't move your vehicle before a police officer arrives. It's illegal to do so.
• Understand and follow local laws. It's illegal to buy or remove cultural artefacts without a permit, or export certain amounts of precious stones. It's also illegal to own ivory or to interact with beggars or vendors in traffic.
• Be careful when taking photos. It's illegal to photograph the Presidential Palace, military sites and military personnel.
• Same-sex sexual acts are illegal. If found guilty you could face up to 15 years imprisonment. 
• Ethiopia has conservative dress and behaviour standards.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• You must have a visa to enter Ethiopia. Visa applications must be made  online . Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. The security situation is dynamic. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Ethiopia for the latest details.
• The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). You can exchange US dollars at the international airport, major banks and hotels. It's difficult to change Australian dollars. ATMs issue small amounts of local currency. Large hotels, restaurants and large shops accept credit cards in Addis Ababa. Have multiple ways to access money.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter  details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
• Our ability to provide consular assistance in do not travel areas of Ethiopia is extremely limited.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy’s social media accounts.
• If you need urgent consular assistance call the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) on +61 2 6261 3305.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension.

The security situation in Ethiopia is dynamic and can deteriorate without warning. Travellers should monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.

The Amhara militia (Fano) is active in several areas of Amhara Regional State and a state of emergency remains in place. The risk of civil unrest and armed conflict is higher in some areas, particularly in Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, Somali and Gambela Regional States, and along international borders, except the border shared with Djibouti. We continue to advise against travel to these areas due to the volatile security situation. 

Low-level political and ethnic disputes are common across many parts of Ethiopia, including along intra-regional borders. Disputes can turn violent. While foreigners have not been targeted, you should remain alert to the risk.

Security measures, including curfews and movement restrictions, may be implemented in Ethiopia at short notice. Roads can be closed at any time and communications may be disrupted or unreliable. Restrictions may change rapidly and without warning and can impact the Embassy's ability to provide consular support to Australians.

International events and political changes can trigger demonstrations. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Avoid crowds or protests.

If, against our advice, you travel to 'Do Not Travel' areas of Ethiopia, you should:

• ensure that your travel documents are up to date and readily accessible to you
• have a contingency plan in place if you need to leave quickly
• monitor local media for information on the evolving situation
• expect a heightened security presence 
• stop at all checkpoints and roadblocks
• you should comply with the law, including carrying identification documents at all times, foreign currency limits and possession of weapons
• avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• follow the instructions of local authorities 

if you need urgent consular assistance call the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) on +61 2 6261 3305 or email  [email protected] . 

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Reports say terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in Ethiopia. These include commercial and public places that foreigners visit.

Terrorists may use events such as international meetings or days of national or religious significance to mount attacks. An attack could happen at any time.  You’re strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance.

Possible targets for terror attacks include:

• clubs, hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars
• schools, places of worship, embassies and government buildings
• landmarks, tourist areas, markets, shopping centres and malls
• political and sporting events
• outdoor recreation events and public gatherings, including large religious festivals and concerts

Terrorists also target transport including:

• aircraft and airports
• petrol stations
• buses and bus terminals
• railways and other transport infrastructure

Some local hotels, have received bomb threats in the past.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• avoid the kinds of public places known to be terrorist targets
• have an exit plan if there's a security incident
• be alert in the lead up to, and on days of, national or religious significance
• monitor the news for any emerging threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow instructions from local authorities

If there's an attack, leave the affected area immediately if it's safe to.

More information:

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped while travelling overseas. Kidnapping can occur anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are usually considered lower risk.

Several active terrorist and militia groups have the intent and capability to kidnap foreigners.  The threat of kidnapping is particularly high in Oromia and southern parts of Somali Regional State. Kidnapping is also a risk near the border areas with Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan.

If despite our advice you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping, you should be aware that our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations is limited. To reduce the risk of kidnapping:

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs
• only use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws.

Border areas

Do not travel to the border areas of Ethiopia  with Eritrea (including Danakil Depression), Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Somalia (including parts of Somaliland) due to safety and security threats that include:

• terrorist attacks
• armed robbery
• armed clashes between security forces and insurgents
• tribal and clan disputes

Unprovoked violent assault can occur, including in popular tourist areas in Addis Ababa. Avoid walking at night.

If you're a victim of violent crime, especially rape , visit a doctor as soon as possible as HIV/AIDS is widespread.

Keep an eye on local information sources about crime. Always be aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to your belongings.

Petty crime is common and includes:

• pickpocketing
• bag snatching
• jewellery theft
• thefts from vehicles stopped at traffic lights

Petty crimes often take place in crowded areas, particularly in Addis Ababa, including:

• the Mercato open air market
• tourist spots including areas around Bole, Piazza and Meskel Square 

These crimes are often carried out by groups of children. Some robbery victims have been assaulted.

Keep your car windows and doors closed and locked at all times, including when moving.

Don’t leave valuables in your car.

Highway robberies and armed carjackings have been reported outside the main urban centres.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Climate and natural disasters

Ethiopia experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including drought, flooding and plagues of locusts.

Ethiopia is in an active earthquake and volcanic zone .

If a natural disaster occurs:

• keep your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• monitor local media and other sources such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family

Several areas of Ethiopia experience severe drought. Local services may be affected. Drinking water and basic food may be hard to find. 

Some areas of Ethiopia experience severe flooding. Flash flooding may occur in the rainy season from July to September. Some roads can't be used.

Travel insurance

If you travel to Ethiopia, check your  travel insurance . If you plan to travel to ‘Do not travel’ parts of Ethiopia, you'll likely need a specialised insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care. 

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Ethiopia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor saying:

• what the medications are
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases

Yellow fever  is widespread in Ethiopia. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel and carry your vaccination card. Some countries require you to present your Yellow Fever vaccination card if you have travelled in Ethiopia.

Malaria is found in Ethiopia except for the capital Addis Ababa and areas above 2000m. Chloroquine-resistant strains are reported in some areas.  Consider taking medication to prevent chloroquine-resistant malaria.

Other insect-borne diseases include:

• chikungunya
• leishmaniasis
• African sleeping sickness

To protect yourself from disease:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, rash or bad headache.

HIV/AIDS is widespread. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are also common. These include:

• tuberculosis
• brucellosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) and other waterborne diseases are spread through freshwater lakes and rivers.

• do not swim in fresh water
• avoid wading through flood waters and waterways

To protect yourself from food and water borne illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Infectious diseases

Ethiopia is still vulnerable to international spread of the wild poliovirus .

Stay up to date with recommended polio vaccinations, including a booster dose, through the  Australian Immunisation Handbook .

Altitude sickness

The altitude in the mountain regions of Ethiopia, including in the capital city of Addis Ababa, can cause problems. People with lung, heart or chest problems should take extra care. Even if you're healthy, you can still be affected.

Symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• coordination problems

In severe cases, fluid can build up in your lungs, brain or both, which can be fatal.

To protect yourself from altitude sickness:

• ascend slowly, especially above an altitude of 2500m
• rest when needed and don't push your body
• avoid alcohol and cigarettes

If you're affected by severe altitude sickness, get to lower ground as soon as possible.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Health facilities are limited in Addis Ababa and inadequate in rural areas.

Due to major renovations at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, emergency services may be severely limited.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be moved to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Death penalty

Ethiopia applies the death penalty for serious offences, including aggravated murder.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Carrying or using drugs

Family law in Ethiopia can differ a lot from Australian law. This includes divorce, child custody and child support. Laws affecting business activities can also be very different.

Get professional advice on your rights and responsibilities if you're engaging in business or family-related matters.

If you're in an accident, it's illegal to move your vehicle before a police officer arrives.

If you’re arrested the Government of Ethiopia may not tell the Australian Government. Authorities may not permit Australian Embassy staff to visit you.

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Ethiopia. If found guilty you could face up to 15 years imprisonment. 

In Ethiopia, it's also illegal to:

• buy or remove Ethiopian antiquities, animal skins or other cultural artefacts, including some Ethiopian crosses, without a permit
• export precious stones and minerals beyond prescribed limits for personal use — check with local authorities before you buy
• give money to or buy something from a beggar or vendor in traffic

It's illegal to take photos:

• near military zones or of military personnel
• near the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa
• where signs clearly prohibit photography

Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Ethiopia doesn't recognise dual nationality.

Despite this, if you’re of Ethiopian heritage and you’re arrested, the Government of Ethiopia may not tell the Australian Government. Authorities may not permit Australian Embassy staff to visit you.

Always travel on your Australian passport .

Dual nationals

Local customs

Standards of behaviour and dress are conservative in Ethiopia. Take care not to offend.

If in doubt, seek local advice.

Time and calendar differences

The Julian calendar is used in Orthodox Christian areas in the highlands. Some Ethiopians set their clocks differently from standard practice elsewhere. This leads to significant time differences.

Ethiopian Airlines and other large international airlines use standard international time.

To avoid confusion, always check bookings and appointments.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

You must have a visa to enter Ethiopia. Visa applications must be made  online . 

Visa conditions

Check your visa's expiry date. If you overstay your visa, there is a daily fine.

Other formalities

Yellow fever vaccination.

You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate  to enter Ethiopia. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave. You should carry a valid Yellow Fiver International Vaccination Certificate.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever .

Countries with a risk of yellow fever

Banned or restricted items

Satellite phones, drones and binoculars cannot be imported to Ethiopia without prior approval. Seek advice from your travel provider on permissions required. Unapproved items may be confiscated by authorities.

There are no guidelines covering the use of drones in Ethiopia. They may be confiscated at airports or at the border. Seek and carry written permission from the Ethiopian Government before using drones.

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government doesn't set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with X gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:   

• LGBTQIA+ travellers  

The official currency is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB).

Currency controls are strict in Ethiopia. If you have more than USD3,000 or the same amount in another foreign currency, you must declare it when you arrive and depart. You may be required to show receipts to demonstrate expenditure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash. You are unable to depart Ethiopia with more than ETB2,000 in cash. 

If you arrive or depart with more than USD3,000, the entire amount in your possession can be seized by authorities.

It's difficult to exchange Australian dollars in Ethiopia. However, most banks exchange US dollars.

There are ATMs in major Ethiopian cities. ATMs can't always be used for cash advances and can run out of cash unexpectedly. Always travel with ETB.

Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and an increasing number of other outlets, mostly in Addis Ababa. Poor power supply and internet outages may affect their reliable operation.  Consider carrying a backup supply of cash.  

Check with your bank to make sure your card will work in Ethiopia.

Local travel

Landmines are a hazard in the border areas with Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia. If you travel near these borders despite our advice, stick to well-travelled roads. See Safety

Driving permit

If you want to drive in Ethiopia, you can apply to convert a valid Australian licence to a local one. It's an Ethiopian Government requirement that your Australian license first be authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia and then by the Australian Embassy in Ethiopia for it to be recognised. See the  Ethiopian Embassy  for more information.

International driving permits aren't recognised in Ethiopia.

Road travel

Driving in Ethiopia can be dangerous because of:

• poor road conditions
• poorly maintained vehicles
• local driving practices
• poor lighting
• people and animals, particularly camels, wandering on roads

Security forces sometimes close roads, including highways. Closures can occur without notice.

Due to the dynamic security situation, we advise against road travel outside major cities in Ethiopia.

Car accidents

Drivers involved in car accidents can face severe punishments, including prison and fines.

If you're in a car accident, it's illegal to move your vehicle before a police officer arrives. However, if you feel unsafe, leave the area immediately and report to the nearest police station.

If you plan to drive in Ethiopia:

• become familiar with local traffic laws and practices before driving
• drive legally
• don't drink and drive
• keep your car windows and doors closed and locked at all times, including when moving
• avoid driving at night, where possible

If you're stopped by police, follow their instructions.

If rocks are thrown at your car, leave the area as quickly and safely as possible.

To protect yourself when travelling outside Addis Ababa:

• get local advice on road and security conditions along your planned route before you travel
• leave details of your travel itinerary with a reliable person
• travel in a group where possible
• carry a well-stocked medical pack
• consider carrying a satellite phone — regular telephones, including the mobile network, are unreliable

Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike or similar vehicle. Your policy may not cover accidents that occur while using these vehicles.

Always wear a helmet. Make sure your passenger does too.

Only use registered taxis. Arrange these through your hotel or an app-based booking service such as RIDE or Feres. Avoid flagging down taxis in the street.

Consider sitting in the back seat rather than the front.

Not all taxis are metered. Ensure the meter is on or agree on the fare before you leave.

Public transport

Ethiopia has bus and limited rail services. However, safety standards aren't the same as in Australia. Buses have been attacked outside Addis Ababa.

Petty crime occurs on public transport. Take care of your belongings when travelling on buses and trains.

Transport and getting around safely

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Ethiopia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Our ability to provide consular assistance in the 'Do not travel' areas of Ethiopia is extremely limited. If you need urgent consular assistance call the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) on +61 2 6261 3305 or email [email protected] . 

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian Embassy, Addis Ababa

Turkish compound (off Cape Verde street)

Bole Subcity, Woreda 3

PO Box 3715

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: +251 11 6672651 / 6672652 / 6672693 / 6672694

Email: [email protected]

Website: ethiopia.embassy.gov.au

Facebook: @AusEmb.ET

X (Twitter): @AusEmbET

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Ethiopia?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Ethiopia Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Ethiopia. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Global Measles May 28, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia
• Dengue in Africa and the Middle East May 16, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Africa and the Middle East. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to Africa and the Middle East can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritius, Sudan

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Chikungunya

There has been evidence of chikungunya virus transmission in Ethiopia within the last 5 years. Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for the following travelers:

• People aged 65 years or older, especially those with underlying medical conditions, who may spend at least 2 weeks (cumulative time) in indoor or outdoor areas where mosquitoes are present in Ethiopia, OR
• People planning to stay in Ethiopia for a cumulative period of 6 months or more

Chikungunya - CDC Yellow Book

Active cholera transmission is  widespread  in Ethiopia. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Ethiopia.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Ethiopia.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Ethiopia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Ethiopia.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease)

Recommended for travelers 2 months old or older traveling to  areas of Ethiopia  that are part of the meningitis belt during the dry season.

Meningococcal disease - CDC Yellow Book

Meningitis Belt Map

Dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Ethiopia.

Rabies is also present in some terrestrial wildlife species.

If rabies exposures occur while in Ethiopia, rabies vaccines are typically not readily available.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old except as follows. Generally not recommended for travel limited to the regions of Afar or Somali.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

• Mosquito bite

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Ethiopia, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Ethiopia. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Ethiopia include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Ethiopia. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Ethiopia’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in Ethiopia. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Ethiopia may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Ethiopia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Ethiopia for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

Search form

Ethiopia - situation report, 10 june 2024, attachments.

• More than 1,000 refugees from Sudan leave settlements in West Gondar, Amhara citing insecurity and lack of protection. Partners support the Government in finding solutions.
• High malnutrition in Ethiopia is compounded by disease outbreaks and other shocks.
• The UN and humanitarian partners are engaging with the Government to support the implementation of principled relocations/ returns of IDPs.
• Flooding leaves thousands affected, displaced in several parts of the country.

Situation Overview

In March 2023, Ethiopia’s refugee population exceeded one million , making it the second largest host country in Africa, as it continues to open its borders for those seeking asylum and refuge. This surge emphasizes the country’s enduring challenges and the pressing humanitarian needs stemming from internal and regional conflicts and disasters and the critical necessity for scaled up assistance to provide life-saving support to those affected. In addition, at least 4.5 million Ethiopians were displaced in the country as of December 2023, due to conflict, violence, drought, and flooding. Immediate action is crucial to reduce people's vulnerability to protection risks caused by these multifaceted shocks. This includes addressing displacement and preventing reliance by internally displaced persons (IDPs) on harmful coping mechanisms.

Refugees who fled the conflict in Sudan since April 2023, and are now hosted in the Kumer and Awlala camps located in the West Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, are expressing their dissatisfaction over camp services and heightened safety concerns , according to a partner . The sites are reported to have been experiencing attacks, robbery, and abductions by unknown armed groups. As a result, some 1,300 refugees left Awlala and Kumer settlements on 1 May, moving towards Gondar City. Several of them are currently camping by the roadside around 1.5 km from the settlement, while around 300 refugees from the Kumer site are seeking shelter near a nearby police post. Some families have returned to the Awlala site while others go back and forth to access services such as water, according to partners. A mobile health clinic deployed by a partner is providing medical/ health assistance to refugees in the area. Scaled up support is, however, necessary to meet the needs. Partners are liaising with local government forces to bolster security to the sites. Security patrols have been reinforced in both Kumar and Awlala, and with the support of a partner an additional police post is under construction at Awlala. There are currently some 150 security officers deployed in both settlements. Similar security incidents (attacks and abductions) by unknown armed groups/bandits in the area in February and March had led to the closure of the main highway limiting humanitarian movement.

The humanitarian situation in West Gondar is exacerbated by limited humanitarian action due to access constraints and limited resources, adding to the overstretched public services such as water and health, following the influx of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers since April last year.

Since it was established in June 2023, the Kumer refugee site has hosted about 6,500 people as of the end of April 2024. In November 2023, the Awlala site (newly constructed) started receiving refugees from transit sites at the Metema border and accommodates some 2,000 people. Overall, more than 130,800 people (returnees, refugees, and third-country nationals) fleeing the conflict in Sudan have entered Ethiopia, of which over 123,900 people have arrived at the Metema border point of entry since 26 May 2023.

Meanwhile, refugees and asylum seekers from Sudan continue to cross Ethiopia’s Kurmuk point of entry in the Benishangul Gumuz Region, seeking protection and assistance. Partners continue to provide support. About 94 per cent of the more than 22,000 people in the area received food assistance in April. Partners are also providing shelter assistance with the construction of an additional refugee site in Ura. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions are also underway in the site, including the installation of water pipelines and latrine pit construction. Shortage of fuel in the regional capital’s market is however affecting the pace of the site construction and humanitarian operations. Moreover, shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies are impacting health service delivery.

The UN and humanitarian partners are engaging with the Government to implement principled relocations/ returns of IDPs.

The Tigray Interim Administration on 31 May announced its grand plan to return 690,000 displaced persons to their places of origin in Southern North Western and Western zones, calling for resource mobilization, including from humanitarian partners, to support the return process. The return plan is timed for mid-year ahead of the 2024 meher (summer) planting season to allow for returnees to engage in livelihood activities. Partners have acknowledged the commitment of the national and regional authorities in their primary duties and responsibilities for providing humanitarian assistance and solutions to IDPs. Partners are also engaging with authorities regarding the need to adhere to international principles and guidelines for IDP returns. Lack of resources available to humanitarian partners has previously affected principled, safe, voluntary and organized returns.

Separately, the relocation of nearly 5,000 IDPs, including 255 households (HHs) and over 1,200 individuals affected by conflict and climate issues, was undertaken from the Endabaguna site in Shire district, Tigray to a site in Maidimu in three phases from 23 April to 1 May. The relocation aims to improve the services for IDPs and alleviate significant overcrowding at Endabaguna that had led to unsafe and unsanitary conditions, that have been highlighted in many previous reports. IDPs in Maidimu are now receiving multi-sectoral assistance as part of the partners’ planned response activities. Accordingly, shelter support (maintenance), water supply (trucking) and distribution of WASH, non-food items (NFIs), registration of IDPs for continued food assistance, health services at the Maidimu clinic, ambulance services, as well as distribution of mosquito nets and dignity kits – are all being provided at the site. A gap remains in the education sector, where there has been a delay in transferring IDP children from schools in Endabaguna to schools in Maidimu kebele and Shire, leading to family separation and interruption of learning, raising protection concerns.

The UNSG Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement (Mr Robert Piper) visited the Somali Region in May (6-7 May 2024). A visit to Qoloji facilitated by the regional government revealed the need to leverage existing durable solution efforts, although shortage of resources has been a challenge in the past. During Mr Piper’s visit, the regional government disclosed of its plans to relocate 59,000 HHs (nearly a third of the total IDPs in the region). The relocation activity is part of the costed menu of options (MoO) for Durable Solutions Strategic Plan for IDPs in the Somali Region (2024-2027). The implementation of the Plan requires a funding of US$178million, with $35 million (19 per cent) having already been funded by the Ethiopian Government, humanitarian partners, and communities and gone into relocation activities, according to the Durable Solutions Working Group. In line with this, arrangements are underway to relocate an estimated 6,000 IDPs in protracted situations at the Qoloji site (Fafan Zone) to two locations in Bayahaw (Shabelle Zone) and Gorayocawl (Fafan). In 2022, an intention survey conducted in four zones, revealed that most IDPs opted to be integrated with their host communities. While the MoO does not cover local integration, partners are engaging with the government to find solutions.

The Oromia Regional Government seeks humanitarian support from partners for the return of 60,000 to 70,000 IDPs from Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions to their places of origin in Oromia Region by June 2024, before the meher planting season. In three rounds of the government’s planned exercises between February and May 2024, about 4,300 IDPs have returned from Amhara Region to East and West Wellega zones, as well as West Shewa zones in Oromia Region, according to the regional Busa Gonafa Oromia (BGO)/Disaster Risk Management Office. At least 14,300 conflict-IDPs displaced from Oromia Region in 2021 reside in Bambasi district (Assosa Zone) of Benishangul Gumuz. Engagement and collaboration by the Ministry of Peace, EDRMC, BGO, Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regional authorities to facilitate the return process is ongoing.

The Government has disclosed several gaps and challenges in the return processes, including with regards to the provision of adequate shelter, food, agriculture inputs, reconstruction/ rehabilitation of damaged basic services/infrastructure, transportation, psycho-social support for survivors of protection violations, peace building, and security concerns in some areas. Humanitarian partners are looking for ways of engagement to ensure principled returns with durable solutions for the IDPs.

The March to May rains ( belg/gu ) have caused flooding, impacting and displacing tens of thousands of people across several regions.

In the Somali Region, heavy rains in early May caused flooding, affecting 247,000 people, and displacing at least 51,000 people across 13 districts. Primary needs include food, health, shelter, and water/sanitation. Physical access constraints hamper relief efforts, particularly in the southern zones.

In Sidama, floods since late April affected around 30,000 people, damaging crops, houses, schools, and health facilities. Approximately 9,000 people urgently require food assistance until the next harvest in August, along with basic non-food items and agriculture support.

In South Ethiopia, floods impacted over 19,000 people in several zones, displacing over a thousand and causing damage to livelihoods and infrastructure. Coordination committees are managing response efforts, with needs including food, veterinary drugs, agriculture seeds, and water treatment chemicals.

In Oromia, over 285,000 people were affected (at least 38,300 displaced) by belg rainy season flash floods in six southern zones, with significant damage to crops, houses, schools, and health facilities as of 21 May. Response has been minimal, with assistance primarily from host communities.

At least 7,000 people in Central Ethiopia Region were affected by strong winds, hail, and heavy rainfall in April. Houses, cropland, and infrastructure suffered extensive damage as well.

Overall, early warning and preparedness planning have helped mitigate flooding impacts, but risks persist until the end of the rainy season. Awareness, early warning dissemination, and water management are crucial for preparedness. For further information please refer to OCHA’s update on flooding (24 May 2024).

High rates of malnutrition in Ethiopia compounded by a variety of shocks urgently require a multisectoral response.

The nutrition situation in Ethiopia is already alarming as indicated by recent surveys(1), particularly in zones of Afar, Amhara, Somali, and parts of South Ethiopia Region (SER) where communities have been affected by drought, fuelled by El Niño.

Malnutrition rates in parts of these regions have already shot past high thresholds, and very high in Somali Region, according to the Nutrition Cluster. Reports show high numbers of children dying due to medical complications and severe malnutrition in Oromia and in South Ethiopia. The proportion of severely malnourished children with complications had already reached 10.3 per cent as of March 2024, compared to 9.4 per cent registered during the same time last year, according to the Cluster.

Ethiopia’s population faces multiple forms of malnutrition, including acute malnutrition (wasting) and chronic malnutrition (stunting). These issues are exacerbated by food insecurity, poor dietary diversity, recurrent droughts and floods, conflict, disease outbreaks, inadequate access to health and nutrition services, and low awareness and practice of optimal infant and young child feeding.

According to the Ethiopian Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit (ENCU) and Nutrition Cluster, recent surveys reveal high prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), especially in drought-affected regions such as Afar, Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray. The situation has deteriorated since last year, with an increase in SAM cases and medical complications. Areas such as Wag Hamra, Amhara (11.9 per cent), Asale, Afar (11 per cent) and Degahbur Agropastoral (DAP) livelihood in Somali (16.2 per cent), report high Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates and stunting prevalence, while Adadle district in Somali has a high GAM (17.3 per cent), but low stunting prevalence (5.9 per cent).

Rapid Nutrition Assessments in districts in Amhara (December 2023) and South Ethiopia Region (February 2024) and Central Ethiopia Region (April 2024) show high proxy GAM rates, with Argoba district (South Wello Zone), Kinfaz district (Central Gondar Zone), and West Soro (Hadiya Zone) reporting rates of 22.9 per cent, 60.2 per cent and 25.7 per cent, respectively. Argoba has been amongst the hardest hit in the South Wello Zone by the El-Niño-induced drought during the 2023 Meher season (October-December), affecting the food security of at least 39,000 people, and who require assistance until the next harvest.

Malnutrition, coupled with measles outbreak in parts of the country, including in areas such as Kinfaz Begela that reported 144 measles cases as of 28 April, pose a high risk of morbidity and mortality amongst children under five years of age. The measles outbreak is worryingly expanding, currently affecting close to 100 districts across the country, with emergency vaccination campaigns delayed due to shortage of vaccines.

In drought-affected districts in Amhara Region, overall high rates of acute malnutrition are prevalent amongst children under five years of age. According to the Amhara Public Health Institute’s (APHI) Drought Related Public Emergency Nutrition Situation Report, No. 10, (1 May 2024) more than 1.8 million children in drought affected areas were screened for malnourishment. Out of these, 342,697 children with MAM and 35,981 children with SAM were identified with a proxy GAM rate of 20.8 per cent as of 1 May. Despite the high figures, only 54.8 per cent SAM and 15.9 per cent MAMwere linked to treatment programs due to nutrition supply shortage for MAM cases and last mile delivery challenges for SAM supplies.

Despite an overall high burden of acute malnutrition in drought affected areas, the emergency nutrition response efforts are reportedly weak due to limited partner capacity and shortage of nutrition supplies. Drought related diseases such as measles and cholera continue to spread in Amhara threatening the immunity of the malnourished. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) reported over 5,100 cholera cases in the region as of 21 May.

Afar and Oromia are the regions where an increase in admissions of SAM cases had been observed in March. The number of deaths in the stabilization centers is high and is related to late referrals and health outbreaks, according to the Nutrition Cluster. Malnutrition is worsening among 355,257 IDPs and returnees in hard-to-reach areas of Western Oromia due to severe food insecurity. Government assistance provided 532 metric tons of food to 69,913 individuals 6-12 months ago, allocating 7 kg per person instead of the usual 15 kg, according to East Wellega zonal office for disaster risk management (BGO).

More than US$276 million in funding is required to meet the nutrition needs of a targeted 3.5 million children and women this year ( Humanitarian Response Plan - HRP ). Close to 30 per cent of the required fund has been received by nutrition partners three months into the year. An estimated 20 per cent of the people in need have so far been assisted this year with services, including, life-saving nutritional feeding programmes for infants and young children, assistance to MAM for children under five, access to quality treatment for outpatient programmes and in outreach activities.

Stabilization centers are also providing care for under-five children severely acute malnourished with medical complications. Overall, the number of children with SAM admitted to treatment programmes in the first quarter of 2024 reach to more than 161,900 (close to 18 per cent of the HRP). March 2024 revealed 57,517 new admissions by children with SAM, a 7 per cent increase in admissions compared to the same period in 2022 and a 10 per cent decrease in admissions compared to 2023.

The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted nutritional interventions across the affected regions to address the crisis. Food relief/ emergency food assistance to households with SAM/MAM children as well as access to health services to treat diseases remain critical to avoid worsening of malnutrition cases.

The cholera outbreak continues to spread in 78 districts across eight regions of Ethiopia, more than 46,800 cases reported as of 21 May, according to the EPHI.

In April, the Afar Region witnessed a surge in cholera cases with over 730 cases and six deaths reported by the end of the month. The Afar Public Health Institution noted that at least 533 patients suffered from severe dehydration, highlighting challenges in accessing healthcare due to low awareness and poor referral systems. The institution has called for humanitarian support to contain the outbreak, which has been escalating since January 2024, focusing on active case search, risk communication, and community engagement. Some areas face a double challenge: food insecurity and outbreaks such as measles, particularly impacting children under five. The cholera outbreak is prevalent in drought and flood affected areas exacerbating humanitarian needs in areas with limited access to health and WASH services.

The outbreak, the longest recorded in decades, was first reported in Ethiopia on 27 August 2022, with the index case identified in Harena Buluk, Bale Zone, Oromia according to EPHI. It has since affected a total of 46,883 people with 600 death and at a 1.28 per cent Case Fatality Rate, higher than the 1 per cent standard as of 21 May 2024.

As of the reporting date, with eight rounds of oral cholera vaccination campaigns and support to 691 treatment centers, the outbreak has been controlled in 275 districts with the help of public health institutions and partners.

COORDINATION AND FUNDING

The 2024 Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF) First Standard Allocation was launched on 1 April 2024 with US$30 million to kickstart the response to newly prioritized humanitarian needs. These were identified in the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) Priority Humanitarian Response and Critical Funding Gaps addendum to the 2024 HRP, which was published on 11 March 2024.

The First Standard Allocation adopted an area-based approach, promoting an intersectoral response to save lives . Eligible partners were required to adopt the intersectoral Nutrition-Health-WASH-Agriculture package of interventions to improve the nutrition status of the target population. When integrating these sectors, partners are also expected to incorporate protection principles. The allocation also targeted at hard-to-reach locations with limited or no NGO operational presence. It advances localization through funding National NGOs as directly as possible, and prioritizing partnerships that add value in terms of capacity-strengthening, coverage in underserved locations, and ensuring an intersectoral approach. This allocation also responds to alarming reports of gender-based violence, as well as allocating funding to ensure continued rapid response capacity in hard-to-reach areas.

The EHF responded to the most pressing needs on the ground and allocated US$60 million to assist people in 2023. The Fund was a vital tool for the provision of life-saving assistance and essential protection services for about 2.9 million women, men, and children, including 1.6 million women and girls and 158,000 people with disabilities. The Fund responded rapidly to multiple emergencies, including supporting responses to drought, floods, and cholera outbreaks in several regions of the country. Please refer to the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund Annual Report 2023 for further information.

Ethiopia Travel Tips: Know Before You Go

In this post I outline 15 top Ethiopia travel tips . This useful guide will help you whilst planning a trip to Ethiopia . 

The only African country never to be colonised. The cradle of humanity from which all humans began their journey on earth. The final resting place of the Arc of the Covenant and most importantly, the creator of coffee .

Ethiopia has many fascinating historical claims and is unlike any other African country you will visit.

However, many travellers I’ve met have gotten frustrated with Ethiopia and ended up never wanting to return. So how do you travel Ethiopia the right way?

Following my visit to Ethiopia, I believe the key to success is be aware of a few things before you enter the country. In this post I provide 15 top tips to make your visit to Ethiopia an enjoyable one . So before you book that flight take a minute to read on below.

2024 Important update: Due to civil unrest, much of Ethiopia is deemed unsafe to visit currently. Please check with your countries travel advisory service for the latest information. For UK see FCO website here.

Disclaimer:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps cover the cost of running this blog. Thanks for your support!

Top Ethiopia Travel Tips

Single entry 30 day and 90 day visas on arrival are available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for residents of 36 countries (UK, Canada, US, Australia and most European countries included).

To get the visa on arrival you will need two passport photographs and $52 or $72 respectively (September 2019).

E-visa are also available to purchase in advance although the cost is the same . Multiple entry visas are a little more involved and can be applied for at your nearest consulate.

The national language is Amharic , a Semitic language with its own alphabet and sounds. It’s a beautiful script and a language which Ethiopians are hugely proud of, but it’s not easy to pick up.

Although English is quite common in most of the tourist areas, try and engage locals with a few basic phrases.  You could try using a phrasebook and Google translate now has Amharic, which will help you get by in a pinch.

Religion is a huge part of Ethiopian culture with 60% of the population being Christian. As you travel around Ethiopia you will discover just how deeply imbedded Christianity is in this country.

For this reason it is best to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Ethiopian men typical wear trousers and t-shirts and ladies often wear full length dresses. Leave the hot pants at home people!

Always remove shoes before visiting a church. Try and wear clothing that covers all parts of the body and women should also cover their hair with a scarf.

Never try to visit the inner ‘Holy of Holies’, which is reserved strictly for the priests. Certain churches may also be reserved for men only.

Ethiopian Birr is the local currency (ETB) and it can’t be bought outside the country. For this reason also be sure to exchange all of your Birr before you leave .

ATMs are plentiful and Commercial Bank is the most reliable. Cash is king though so to avoid ATM fees and to get a good exchange rate, bring USD. Bigger notes such as $50 and $100 will give you the best rate.

Don’t forget to take a money belt to keep your money safe whilst exploring.

The staple food in Ethiopia is a large pancake type thing called injera. Injera is made from a grain called teff. It is served cold with stews, lentils, meat or fish to name a few. Injera is fermented so it’s not to everyones liking, however it is pretty healthy – find out why in this article .

In Ethiopia food is mainly eaten with hands (just the right hand!) and is often shared, using injera as a scoop. With the majority of the population being strong Orthodox Christians, fasting is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays and during important religious periods such as lent.

During fasting they abstain from meat and diary. Perfect for all travelling vegetarians and vegans.

Juicing might be a recent hipster trend for us Westerners but it has been popular in Ethiopia for a long time. Try the popular mixed mango, avocado and papaya juice. Yum.

The other big drink in Ethiopia is of course, coffee. Coffee is more than just a drink here, it even has it’s own ceremony! The coffee beans are first roasted before being passed around for you to appreciate the scent. It is then served in three rounds. Make sure you have time on your hands if you need to grab a quick coffee!

As mentioned earlier, a lot of Ethiopia is located at high altitude, which means it’s important to stay hydrated. Keep sipping water constantly throughout the day. This is also hugely important if planning a trip to the Danikil Depression where the temperature is extremely high.

Use a filtering water bottle so that you can easily stay hydrated wherever you are.

Ethiopians have adopted the Julian calendar, which is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar. One year in the Ethiopian calendar is 13 months long, with 12 months having 30 days each.

The last month has 5 days in a common year and 6 days during leap year. Coptic Christmas is celebrated on the 7th January and New Year on the 11th September.

Ethiopia doesn’t just have its own calendar – it has its own version of time! It sounds a little crazy at first but it’s not too hard to get your head around after a little while.

In Ethiopia they operate on a 12 hour clock, rather than a 24 hour clock. 12 hours of daytime and 12 hours of nighttime.

The daytime cycle begins at 12:00 (which is 6am by western time). After 12 hours, 6pm Western time, nighttime begins. When the day for Westerners begins at 00:00 (midnight), in Ethiopian time is 6pm or 6 at night. 8am Western time is 2am Ethiopian or 2 o’clock in the day.

Confused? Yes, me too! The best way to avoid any confusion when booking activities is to confirm whether you mean 8 o’clock in the morning or 8 o’clock at night. Or even say 8am western time, and they will understand. Most Ethiopians working in tourism will work on Western time with foreigners.

In Africa time is only a rough guide anyway – people are rarely “on time”, whatever time you’re working on!

Getting anywhere in Ethiopia takes time. The roads are slow and windy, since most of the country is mountainous and traffic comes in the form of slow donkey carts.

However, getting from place to place doesn’t need to hurried because the views along the way are simply incredible. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

More photos of Ethiopia are available to see in my Northern Ethiopia photo gallery

Everyone’s favourite travel topic: Toilets

Toilet paper doesn’t seem to be a “thing” in Ethiopia, so always carry some with you when you are out and about. Hotels should be well stocked though.

Begging culture

You will get asked for money a lot in Ethiopia – fact. You’ll also get asked for pens and food and everything in between. Most of the time it is harmless and the best way to deal with it, is to simply ignore it.

It might feel harsh at first but if you engage in any way you will have children following you around for miles!

Embrace the shoulder bump

Greetings with an Ethiopian can be a complicated affair, sometimes involving a variety of handshakes or several cheek to cheek kisses. The most common (and my personal favourite) though is the handshake followed up with leaning in for a shoulder to shoulder bump.

After a few shoulder bumps you’ll be wanting to do it with everyone!

Local SIM cards

There is only one mobile phone provider in Ethiopia, which is Ethio Telecom . Wifi is generally quite poor so getting a SIM can be very useful.

Ethio Telecom shops sell SIM cards in the morning only and you will need to show your passport to make the purchase. Buy credit for data, call and SMS packages and get them to set it all up before you leave.

What to bring

Ethiopia is colder than you might think so bring some warm clothes. A lot of the country sits at high altitude so whilst it can get hot in the day, at night temperatures drop and you’ll want to wrap up. 

Interested in learning more about Africa? Take a look at this post about neighbouring  Sudan.

Like it?Pin it for later!

Sign up to my monthly newsletter today !

By checking this box I consent to the use of my information provided for email marketing purposes.

Louise is an Adventure Tour Guide, Snowboard Instructor & Mountain Leader from South Wales. Through working as a tour guide and snowboard instructor, she has spent the last 15 years travelling Asia, Africa and the Americas. Louise is a published photographer and currently guides mountain trips in the UK.

Recent Posts

The 11 Best One-Day Hikes In Wales

Wales, a land of myth and legend, is a hiker's paradise with its dramatic landscapes, verdant valleys, and rugged coastlines. From the towering peaks of Snowdonia to the serene shores of...

The Best Castles in Wales: A Guide To The Majestic Fortresses of Wales

Wales is a country steeped in history and the castles that dot its landscape are a testament to this rich heritage. From towering fortresses to romantic ruins, there are over 600 castles in Wales to...

Get your travel and tourism news from Ethiopia

Latest news.

Airport Security as Threat to Tourism

Nigeria is losing huge revenue in the tourism market as a result of its unpreparedness to play big in the market, even though it could do more to become a major player in the tourism industry, writes Chinedu Eze   On arrival from Kenya via Lome, Togo on …

Travel: 3-day itinerary to make the most of your trip to Malawi, Africa

Published: Thu 13 Jun 2024, 8:39 PM Last updated: Thu 13 Jun 2024, 8:40 PM When I started to plan my vacation, I was clear that the country to visit should not be run of the mill. I was not looking at countries that had crowds of tourists flocking to them. …

Elderly couple's unforgettable tourism adventure in Tanzania

Lyn Bach and her husband are 70 years and 75 years young, respectively. They have just returned home after a week of hunting with Hadzabe huntsmen, picking fresh coffee beans from the tree, and watching a leopard feast on a fresh kill. For nearly a week, …

Ethiopian researchers travel to India to strengthen knowledge regarding increasing wheat productivity

The irrigated lowlands of Afar and Oromia in Ethiopia are vital areas for the cultivation of wheat and increasing their productivity is crucial to attaining food security in the light of extended drought and other climate shocks. Adaptation, Demonstration, …

Women Who Travel Podcast: Two Best Friends Eat Their Way Round the World

LA: Well, one immediate thing that I do have jotted down, which is, I mean, it seems like it worked out okay, but Mumtaz I think you sliced off part of your finger. MM: Yes. I think it sounded a bit traumatic. I did. LA: It sounds horrendous. MM: I know it …

More off the beaten track destinations want to attract high-spending Hong Kong tourists

“We are advertising a lot on social media,” Askhat Zhanbossynov, the manager of the bureau, said. “We are also going to invite bloggers and influencers from Hong Kong to come to our country in August to promote it and we’re also participating in a lot of …

1 GOAL USA is inviting you to join the challenge of a lifetime - the Great Ethiopian Run! 2 The best places in Ireland to go for a fishing vacation 3 Traditional Irish hearty vegetable soup recipe 4 Jamie Oliver's hearty and warming Irish beef and…

GOAL USA wants you to join their team for the Great Ethiopian Run Challenge 2024 - here's how you could be part of a trip of a lifetime.  The Great Ethiopian Run, dubbed by Runner’s World Magazine ‘the world’s best 10k,’ is Africa's largest road race with …

Services to Ethiopia and Dhaka on Cochin International Airport Limited’s radar

Discussions are under way exploring the possibilities of establishing connectivity to Ethiopia and Bangladesh capital Dhaka from the Cochin International Airport Limited. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Discussions are under way exploring the …

Ethiopian Airlines resumes daily passenger flights to historic city of Axum following airport upgrades

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest airline, has announced the reinstatement of its daily passenger flights to the historic city of Axum as of June 9, 2024. The resumption of flights follows the successful completion of extensive maintenance work on …

Press Releases

Local Media

Local journalists.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Ethiopia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 31, 2023, ethiopia - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to Ethiopia due to  sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, crime, communications disruptions, terrorism and kidnapping in border areas .

Do Not Travel To:

• Tigray Region and border with Eritrea due to  sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and crime .
• Afar-Tigray   border areas  due  to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and crime .
• Amhara Region due to  sporadic violent conflict and civil unrest .
• Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regions due to  crime, kidnapping, ethnically motivated violence, and sporadic violent conflict
• Oromia Region – Specific areas due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and ethnically motivated violence.
• Southern Nations and National People (SNNP) Region due to  sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and ethnically motivated violence.
• Border area with Somalia due to  terrorism, kidnapping, and landmines .
• Border areas with Sudan, and South Sudan due to  crime, kidnapping, civil unrest, and sporadic violent conflict.
• Border areas with Kenya due to the potential for  terrorism and ethnically motivated violence.

The security situation in Addis Ababa is stable. However, there is sporadic violent conflict and civil unrest in other areas of Ethiopia, and the security situation may deteriorate without warning. The U.S. Embassy is unlikely to be able to assist with departure from the country if the security situation deteriorates. Due to sporadic violent conflict and civil unrest throughout parts of Ethiopia, travel by U.S. government personnel is routinely assessed for additional restrictions. Please see information on  What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis .

U.S. officials have limited ability to provide services to U.S. citizens outside of Addis Ababa and have very limited consular access to U.S. citizens detained by Ethiopian authorities. The government of Ethiopia has previously restricted or shut down internet, cellular data, and phone services before, during, and after civil unrest. These restrictions impede the U.S. Embassy’s ability to communicate with and provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Ethiopia.

Please contact the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit at  [email protected]  for further assistance.

Read the  country information page  for additional information about travel to Ethiopia.

If you decide to travel to Ethiopia:

• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Stay alert in locations frequented by U.S. citizens/Westerners/foreign travelers.
• Carry a copy of your passport and visa and leave originals in your hotel safe.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for Ethiopia .
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Tigray Region and Border with Eritrea – Do Not Travel

Due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and crime, the Tigray Region and the border with Eritrea are restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts. Border roads with Eritrea are closed and conditions at the border may change with no warning.

Afar-Tigray Border Area – Do Not Travel

Due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and crime, the Afar-Tigray border area is restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts.

Amhara Region – Do Not Travel 

Due to sporadic violent conflict and civil unrest, the Amhara Region is currently off-limits for U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts.

Gambella Region – Do Not Travel

Due to crime, kidnapping, the potential for ethnically motivated violence, and sporadic violent conflict, the Gambella Region is restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts.

Benishangul Gumuz Region – Do Not Travel

Due to crime, kidnapping, the potential for ethnically motivated violence and sporadic violent conflict, the Benishangul Gumuz Region   is restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts.

Oromia Region – Specific Areas – Do Not Travel

Due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and ethnically motivated violence, the following zones in Oromia are restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts: the entirety of Horro-Guduru Wollega, East Wollega, West Wollega, Kelem Wollega, Illubabor, and Bale. Other areas in Oromia include portions of North, West, and Southwest Shewa to the immediate north and west of Addis Ababa; the Boset and Fentale woredas of East Shewa zone between Welenchiti and Awash; portions of the Borena zone surrounding Bule Hora; and portions of Guji zone to the east of Bule Hora.

Southern Nations and National People (SNNP) Region – Specific Areas – Do Not Travel

Due to sporadic violent conflict, civil unrest, and ethnically motivated violence the following towns and areas in SNNP are restricted for travel by U.S. government personnel, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity and priority diplomatic engagement efforts: Gedeo, Konso zones and the Amaro and Derashe special woredas.

Border Area with Somalia – Do Not Travel

Terrorists maintain a presence in Somali towns near the Ethiopian border, presenting a risk of cross-border attacks and kidnappings. Landmines are present in this region. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to travel to the border areas with Somalia, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity efforts.

Border Areas with Sudan and South Sudan – Do Not Travel

Crime, kidnapping, the potential for ethnically motivated violence, and sporadic violent conflict exist near the Ethiopian borders with Sudan and South Sudan. This includes but is not limited to the Nuer Zone and the Jore Woreda of the Agnuak Zone in the Gambela region, and the Pawe, Guba, Dangur, Dibati, and Bulen woredas, and the Metekel zone in the Benishangul Gumuz Region. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to travel to the border areas of Sudan and South Sudan, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity efforts.

Border Areas with Kenya – Do Not Travel

Terrorists, particularly Al-Shabaab, maintain a presence in this area, and ethnically motivated violence has been reported. This includes but is not limited to the Borena zone and surrounding areas. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to travel to the border areas with Kenya, with limited exceptions to support humanitarian capacity efforts.

Visit our website for advice if you decide to  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, ethiopia map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Attacks Leave Sudanese Refugees Stranded in Ethiopian Forest

People sit by makeshift shelters near Awlala Camp, Amhara region, Ethiopia May 31, 2024. Alfatih Alsemari/Handout via REUTERS

By Nafisa Eltahir

CAIRO (Reuters) - Refugees from Sudan's civil war who fled into neighbouring Ethiopia say they have been forced to move on again and take shelter in a forest and on roadsides after repeated attacks by gunmen left their tents pock-marked with bullet holes.

About 8,000 people have left the Kumer and Awlala refugee camps, set up by the United Nations in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, since repeated assaults last month, mostly by bandits, camp representatives told Reuters this week.

They had originally fled fighting that broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023 that has led to extreme hunger in parts of that country and accusations of ethnic cleansing in Darfur.

"We left our country because we were scared of the stray bullets from the army and RSF," one young man told Reuters by phone.

"We sought refuge in Ethiopia to save our lives, and now we are facing the same danger."

He said he had originally left Sudan's capital Khartoum, then the camps, and was now sheltering in a forest with fellow refugees in the Amhara region - where militias have been battling Ethiopian federal government troops in a separate conflict.

Images sent via WhatsApp and Telegram showed makeshift dwellings made out of branches and tarp, and scores of people, including many children, sitting outside along a roadside. Reuters confirmed the date and location of the photographs.

Like others there, the young man spoke on condition of anonymity, saying he feared reprisals. Their accounts highlighted the lack of options facing Sudan's refugees as they look for shelter in countries with their own conflicts and shortages.

The Ethiopian government's Refugee and Returnee Service did not respond to requests for comment. In early May it said it was engaged with refugees to address safety and service concerns, despite limited resources.

The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR referred Reuters to a statement from last week that acknowledged security incidents and a "deeply challenging" security environment, without going into further details.

In the statement it said Ethiopian police had increased patrols, and that it continued to provide services inside the two camps and to encourage what it said were around 1,000 people outside Awlala to return. There was no-one immediately available to comment on the different estimate of the numbers involved.

Sudan's war has created the world's largest displacement crisis, with more than 8.9 million people fleeing their homes. Of the 2.1 million who left the country, more than 122,000 have gone to Ethiopia, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The aid group Medical Teams International, which has run a clinic near the camps in Ethiopia, said last week one of its staff was killed after armed men fired on a convoy.

'CATASTROPHE AFTER CATASTROPHE'

Refugees who were now sheltering outside the camps told Reuters people faced regular violence.

"People have to go to the valley to bathe and wash clothes. But they are either robbed, beaten up, or kidnapped daily," said one member of a camp leadership committee.

"We are facing catastrophe after catastrophe," they said.

Cholera has spread in Kumer, where there was at most one doctor available to see patients, several refugees and an aid worker, who asked not to be named, said. Monthly food deliveries by the U.N. World Food Programme last less than two weeks, two refugees told Reuters.

Three refugees told Reuters that about 6,000 people from Kumer and Awlala had set off together on May 1 to walk 170 km (105 miles) to the UNHCR's headquarters in Amhara's main city of Gondar to protest about their conditions.

They were stopped by police and sought shelter in a forest near the Awlala camp, the three refugees said.

Many of them began a 10-day hunger strike over conditions as supplies ran low, which they stopped after donations came in from Sudanese abroad, the only assistance received so far, the three said.

About 2,000 who remained at Kumer fled onto a main road after armed men began firing at the camp on May 1, the committee member and another refugee said. Those who later returned found gunshots had pierced the tents, they said, convincing them that the men aimed to drive them out.

Aid workers, who asked not to be named, say insecurity and a lack of funds have severely hampered relief efforts.

The U.N. says just $400,000 in funding for Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia has been delivered, out of an appeal for more than $175 million.

(Reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, additional reporting by Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa and Milan Pavicic in Gdansk; editing by Aidan Lewis and Andrew Heavens)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

Photos You Should See - June 2024

Join the Conversation

Tags: United Nations , Ethiopia , Africa , Middle East , South Sudan , Sudan

America 2024

Healthiest Communities

Your trusted source for in-depth analysis on the issues impacting your community’s well-being delivered right to your inbox.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

The 10 worst presidents.

U.S. News Staff Feb. 23, 2024

The Best Cartoons on Donald Trump

June 13, 2024, at 1:31 p.m.

Joe Biden Behind The Scenes

June 7, 2024

What Americans Actually Think of IVF

Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder June 13, 2024

How Biden Made Putin Buy Ukraine Weapons

Aneeta Mathur-Ashton June 13, 2024

Key Supreme Court Rulings to Watch For

Laura Mannweiler June 13, 2024

GOP Embraces Trump on Capitol Hill

Tim Smart June 13, 2024

SCOTUS Rejects Challenge to Mifepristone

Lauren Camera June 13, 2024

What Is Contempt of Congress?

Wholesale Inflation Down on Cheaper Gas

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Get a Passport

Renew or Replace a Passport

Get My Passport Fast

Prepare to Apply

Passport Help

Legal Matters

Get a Passport Homepage

Share this page:

Apply for your First Adult Passport

Apply for a Child Under 16

Apply as a 16 or 17 Year Old

Get My Application Status

Get a Passport Card

Respond to a Letter or Email

Enroll in email updates so you know when your application status changes. Use the following information to check your status and enroll in updates: 

• Include suffixes (ex. Jones III, Patton Jr, etc.)
• If you have a hyphen in your name, enter it with and without the hyphen if you cannot find a status update on the first try. (ex. Jackson-Smith, Jackson Smith, or JacksonSmith)
• Date of Birth  (MM/DD/YYYY)
• Last Four Digits of Social Security Number

What Your Status Means

I got a letter and/or email requesting more information, help what should i do if:, my passport was "mailed" but i have not received it.

If you have waited over two weeks since we mailed your passport, call us at 1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing).

We will help you complete a special form (known as the DS-86 form ) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.

You must complete the DS-86 form within 90 days of the date we issued your passport. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees, by law.

I applied and need my passport sooner than I thought

Call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing). You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth.

• Get expedited service for $60. 
• Get 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport book for $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

I changed my mailing address

Do not contact us if your address changed  after  you received your passport.

Contact us only if your mailing address changed while you are waiting for your passport.

If you want to receive your passport at an address other than your own, we will send the passport “In Care Of” someone else who lives at that address.

I have not received my supporting documents

If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

Contacting Us If You Have Urgent Travel

Check your application status online and sign up for updates via email . How our contact center can help you depends on your travel date, and if you have applied or not yet applied...

I have already applied and do not have my passport

I have not applied yet, reminders for contacting us.

• Representatives are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. We close on federal holidays.
• Our primary number is 1-877-487-2778 . Se habla español.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-888-874-7793 for TDD/TTY teletype services.
• Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate if you are applying outside the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

You cashed my check. why is my status still "not available".

Still In Transit: Your application status is "Not Available" because your application is still in transit to a passport agency or center. After you apply, your application is:

• Delivered to a mail facility. Your tracking number may say that your application has "Arrived" at the mail facility. 
• Sent from the mail facility to an intake facility where your payment is processed (check is cashed). 
• Sent by the intake facility to a passport agency or center. 

It may take up to 2 weeks from the day you apply until your application status is "In Process" at one of our passport agencies and centers. 

Problem with your Application : In some cases, it may take longer than 2 weeks if our intake facility finds a problem with your application. We will contact you if we need more information. 

Technical Issue : We may have a temporary, technical issue with our system. Please try again in several hours. 

Entering Your Last Name : If you cannot find a status update on the first try, make sure the name you enter is spelled the same as the name you provided on your passport form. If you have a hyphen in your name, try entering your name with and without the hyphen.

Why does my status say "Mailed" if I just applied?

Your status may be "Mailed" if you received a new passport in the last 180 days, and you are re-applying for a new passport. For example, you may need to use  Form DS-5504 if you need to Change or Correct Your Passport . It may take 2 weeks after the date you apply on Form DS-5504 for your status to change to "In Process." 

Why does my status say "In Process" after it was already "Approved"?

You may see this update if we discovered a problem we need to fix during our final review of your passport. We are fixing the issue and preparing to print a new passport for you. 

Will I receive my new passport and my documents back in one envelope?

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

How do I know which location is processing my application and has my documents?

The first two digits of your nine-digit passport application locator number allow you to know which agency or center is working on your application. You can find your application locator number by checking our  Online Passport Status System . The unique digits for each of our agencies and centers are below.

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Whoops, The internet connection appears to be offline!

You are back online!

Book a Trip

Flight network, special deals, virtual tour of our modern aircraft, explore , top flights, destination deals, et specials, essential information, baggage information, special needs, check-in information, add-on services, services at the airport, on board services, help and contact, leave website feedback, join shebamiles, you aren't registered yet.

Join the program for free and start enjoying the benefits for flights made 90 days back.

• Extra baggage allowance
• Earn bonus miles when flying with us
• Priority airport standby
• Priority baggage handling
• Advanced boarding

  Update on ticket rules to/from Tel Aviv  

Ethiopian Airlines have resumed flights to/from TLV effective December 02, 2023.

• The below options are availed for tickets issued on and before February 29, 2024, and travel before March 31, 2024, to/from TLV on Ethiopian Airlines flights.
• Date change
• Free date change is permitted with the same booking class.
• Fare difference should be collected if any.
• Refundable tickets will be handled without a cancellation fee.
• Non-refundable tickets will be refunded without charge.
• No show fee
• Passengers are entitled for free of change without no show fee.
• Extension of validity
• Ticket validity can be extended until January 31, 2025.

*Tour code TLV1137H shall be inserted when applying the above conditions.

N.B Please note that the above tour code will not be applicable for online refund. Online refund will have a cancellation fee.

*All other rule and conditions shall apply as per system rule.

Notifications

New notifications unavailable

Search a country

Selected country

All countries

Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive updates

Ethiopian App

Scan to download our app.

Book and manage your flight easily.

Social Media

Connect with us on social media

Best Airline in Africa for Six Years in a Row

Best business class onboard catering in africa 2023 for two years in row.

© 2024 - Ethiopian Airlines  Sitemap

Ethiopian Airlines wants to start sending you push notifications. Click Allow to subscribe.

Customer Feedback

We value your opinions. We would like to hear any of your comments or concerns

Global Contact Center Numbers

Call us directly via our contact center numbers all over the world for any assistance.

Global Contact Center Survey

How do you rate our support agents?

Star Alliance Survey

In order to ensure that all of the Star Alliance member airlines provide you with the service you expect, we would appreciate your feedback.