“There is no reduction in U.S. assistance—only a more focused and coordinated way of delivering it. This transition is more than a shift in delivery partners—it reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to stand with the people of Ethiopia,” said U.S. Embassy official Tim Stein

Source: US Embassy Addis Ababa

July 16, 2025

Mekelle, Tigray, July 16, 2025: On July 15, 2025, the United States officially marked the successful transition of its food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia to the Joint Emergency Operations Program (JEOP)—a significant milestone in strengthening the humanitarian response across Tigray, Amhara, and Afar.

Over the past six months, the transition has brought 1.2 million people across 52 woredas in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray under JEOP’s care. With the final phase now complete, JEOP is delivering lifesaving food assistance to a total of 3.1 million people across Ethiopia.

“There is no reduction in U.S. assistance—only a more focused and coordinated way of delivering it. This transition is more than a shift in delivery partners—it reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to stand with the people of Ethiopia,” said U.S. Embassy official Tim Stein, speaking at the handover ceremony held at Axum Hotel in Mekelle. “JEOP’s scale-up ensures continuity of lifesaving food assistance while allowing WFP to focus where the needs are growing,” he emphasized.

The handover was made possible through the leadership of the Government of Ethiopia, Tigray Region Disaster Risk Management Commission, and close coordination through the Food Cluster, with the World Food Program (WFP) playing a critical role in guiding the transition.

The United States remains firmly committed to humanitarian support in Ethiopia, having provided $341 million to JEOP and WFP for emergency food assistance in 2025 alone to ensure continued support for emergency food aid through the end of the year.

The United States continues to be the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, providing critical support to millions of people affected by conflict, displacement, and food insecurity across the country.

Source: Borkena

The United States Enhances its Humanitarian Response in Northern Ethiopia by Transitioning Food Assistance to JEOP

July 16, 2025

United States _ Ethiopia
U.S. Embassy official Tim Stein during the handover ceremony speaking about the transition of U.S. food assistance operations in Northern Ethiopia to the Joint Emergency Operations Program (JEOP), July 15, 2025, Mekelle, Tigray. (courtesy of U.S. Embassy)

Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia-The United States officially completed the transition of its food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia on July 15, 2025, to the Joint Emergency Operations Program (JEOP),  a move set to bolster humanitarian efforts across the Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions.

In a press statement sent to Borkena today, July 16, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa announced that JEOP has provided care to 1.2 million people across 52 districts in Ethiopia’s Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions over the past six months. The program is nearing its final phase, with the Embassy stating that JEOP has delivered life-saving food assistance to a total of 3.1 million people across Ethiopia. 

“There is no reduction in U.S. assistance—only a more focused and coordinated way of delivering it. This transition is more than a shift in delivery partners—it reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to stand with the people of Ethiopia,” said U.S. Embassy official Tim Stein, speaking at the handover ceremony held at Axum Hotel in Mekelle. “JEOP’s scale-up ensures continuity of lifesaving food assistance while allowing WFP to focus where the needs are growing,” he emphasized.

 The statement further noted that leaders from the federal government, the Tigray Region Disaster Risk Management Commission, and the Food Cluster, in close coordination with the World Food Program (WFP), played a significant role in making the transition feasible.

“The United States remains firmly committed to humanitarian support in Ethiopia, having provided $341 million to JEOP and WFP for emergency food assistance in 2025 alone to ensure continued support for emergency food aid through the end of the year,” the statement read.

It is further underlined that the United States continues to be the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, providing critical support to millions of people affected by conflict, displacement, and food insecurity across the country.