The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of more than 200 lives in the south of Ethiopia following landslides triggered by heavy rains.

He extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Ethiopia.

The United Nations and its partners are working closely with the Government, evaluating the humanitarian situation to determine the extent of the damage and assess the humanitarian needs of the affected population. UN agencies are dispatching food, nutrition, health and other critical supplies to help people affected by the landslides.