Does UNHCR give cash assistance in Ethiopia?
Yes, we provide cash assistance to some refugees and asylum seekers with specific needs in urban areas in Ethiopia to help them meet their needs, including access to food, water, healthcare, and shelter, allowing them to develop and support livelihood opportunities.
Who can receive cash assistance from UNHCR in Ethiopia?
You may be eligible to receive cash assistance if you are a refugee or an asylum seeker registered in the urban programme and:
- RRS and UNHCR Public Health Units have identified you as someone needing continuous specialized medical services, which are not available in refugee camps or nearby towns, after a medical assessment initiated in the camp.
- You have been identified as a person who cannot continue living in the camp due to protection or security reasons. In consultation with RRS, UNHCR Protection staff at the field level will assess security threats to your physical safety and security and recommend relocation to the urban assistance programme.
- You have no designated camp in Ethiopia due to your nationality.
How much will I receive if I am assisted?
Refugees in the urban assistance programme are provided with a monthly multi-purpose cash allowance calculated based on family size to cover their basic housing, food, transport and other basic needs while living in Addis Ababa.
Medical inclusion:
| Family size | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3566 |
| 2 | 4034 |
| 3 | 4502 |
| 4 | 4970 |
| 5 | 5438 |
| 6 | 5906 |
| 7 | 6374 |
| 8 | 6842 |
| 9 | 7310 |
| 10 | 7310 |
| 11 | 7310 |
| 12 | 7310 |
Protection and nationality:
| Family size | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3248 |
| 2 | 3716 |
| 3 | 4184 |
| 4 | 4652 |
| 5 | 5120 |
| 6 | 5588 |
| 7 | 6056 |
| 8 | 6524 |
| 9 | 6992 |
| 10 | 6992 |
| 11 | 6992 |
| 12 | 6992 |
The maximum cash assistance provision is up to a family size of nine (9) or 7,310.00 ETB per month.
For how long can I receive cash assistance from UNHCR?
NHCR cash assistance programme is temporary and regularly reviewed by UNHCR, RRS and DICAC (Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission).
These organisations form two functional committees, the Health Assistance Review Committee (HARC) and the Protection Case Review Committee (PCRC) who review the situation of those included in the cash assistance programme on health, protection or security grounds and decide if they are still in need of and meet the criteria to receive the assistance.
The termination of the cash assistance can happen in two ways:
- If it is determined that you can return to the camp, you will be given one month notice to organize your return to the camp, after which the cash assistance will be discontinued.
- In cases of death, resettlement, voluntary repatriation or spontaneous departure, cash assistance will be discontinued with immediate effect.
Can the amount of my cash assistance be reduced or increased?
Cash assistance is based on your family size. This means that if there are changes to your family size, or if the assistance for one or more family members is discontinued or initiated, the amount of money you receive will change to the corresponding amount.
What if my cash assistance delayed?
In principle, the monthly cash allowance will be deposited by UNHCR to your personal bank account by the 5th day of each month.
If you face any delays after the fifth (5th) day of the month:
- Visit the joint reception centre in RRS compound in Enkualal Fabrica area and speak to a protection staff
OR
- Call UNHCR Call Centre 0905012823 (If you are in Addis Ababa)
- Monday to Thursday 08:30- 17:00
- Friday 08:30 – 14:00
