World Bank Study Highlights Economic Toll of Armed Conflicts in Ethiopia

A World Bank poverty and equity assessment reveals that armed conflicts significantly hinder household consumption growth in Ethiopia. The report indicates that for every day of violent conflict occurring within 20 kilometers of a household, consumption growth slows by 2.5 percent. If the conflict involves fatalities, this rate of decline worsens to four percent. The analysis highlights that communities face ongoing challenges regarding displacement and damaged infrastructure. Furthermore, it notes that children have lost crucial years of schooling, warning that new conflicts would exacerbate these existing, unhealed wounds.