The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that intense seismic activity near the Fentale and Dofan volcanoes in Ethiopia’s Main Rift Valley, first observed on January 4, continues to disrupt the southern Afar and northern Oromia regions.
Ethiopia’s government has evacuated over 60,000 people from high-risk areas amid ongoing tremors, rockfalls, and ash emissions reported since January 2. Emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced populations, with 51,456 individuals relocated in Afar and 20,325 in Oromia.
While Mount Dofen has ceased emitting smoke, lava continues to flow from its crater. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) confirmed that at least two injuries have occurred due to the seismic events.
The earthquakes have also damaged infrastructure, including 16 schools severely and 21 partially, according to WHO. Local authorities and humanitarian organizations are working to provide aid to affected communities.