Pandemics are devastating in any context. However, the danger posed by COVID-19 outbreak is magnified for the 8.4 million people already in need of humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic will not only stretch the capacity of health services, but may also result in redirection of humanitarian assistance from other critical areas, such as protection.

Historical evidence suggest that the COVID-19 outbreak will directly or indirectly impact the protection situation for vulnerable children. Therefore, the Protection Cluster is advocating for the continuity of essential protection services while ensuring that the response takes into account the different needs of women, girls, boys and men.

This documents discusses the key protection concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ethiopia.