UNICEF and UNHCR Sign Letter of Understanding to Strengthen Collaboration in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – June 3rd, 2025: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) at the UNICEF Ethiopia office, reinforcing their commitment to enhancing refugee protection and support, including host communities. Building on the 2016 LOU, this renewed agreement, effective from June 2025 to June 2027, aims to strengthen collaborative efforts to safeguard and empower refugees and host communities in Ethiopia, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable children and families.

The LOU establishes a robust framework for cooperation, prioritizing refugee protection and host communities' support through expanded access to critical services, including education, health, nutrition, social protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and comprehensive child protection and youth engagement programs. By aligning their expertise, UNICEF and UNHCR seek to fortify national systems, ensuring equitable and inclusive support for refugees and host communities, especially women, children, and persons with disabilities. The agreement emphasizes safe, protective environments and resource mobilization to deliver sustainable solutions for those in vulnerable situations.

“This Letter of Understanding marks a significant step in our ongoing partnership with UNHCR,” said Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia. “By combining our strengths, we can better serve the needs of refugee children and host communities living and working in vulnerable situations in Ethiopia.”

“UNHCR is proud to deepen this strategic alliance with UNICEF,” said Andrew Mbogori, UNHCR Ethiopia Country Representative. “Our joint efforts will prioritize safety, dignity, and rights of every refugee child, ensuring they have access to protection and opportunities to thrive.”