UK provides major capability uplift to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society with the donation of humanitarian equipment
Addis Ababa, 28 May 2026 – The United Kingdom is providing additional support to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) through transferring a total of 22 trucks, a drilling rig and crane, 3 water trucks, and 1 desludging truck. This has been financed through Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funding of a total £5.4 million to support the ERCS’ vital efforts in responding to crises within Ethiopia.
HE Darren Welch, UK Ambassador to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union, transferred the FCDO-donated assets to Ato Abera Tola, President of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, during a formal handover ceremony held today in Addis Ababa. The equipment will strengthen ERCS’ emergency logistics, water supply, and disaster response operations, particularly in hard-to-reach and crisis-affected communities across Ethiopia.
This support forms part of the UK’s ongoing partnership with ERCS in key sectors including health, water supply, sanitation, emergency response, and multipurpose cash assistance. Since 2023, the UK has provided more than £20 million (over 4 billion ETB) in support to ERCS humanitarian operations and resilience-building interventions across Ethiopia through the Ethiopia Crises to Resilience (EC2R) Project.
Through the EC2R Project, launched in August 2023, ERCS and FCDO have reached more than 1.2 million people across four regions of Ethiopia with life-saving and resilience-building support. The project has improved access to clean water, rehabilitated and equipped conflict-affected health facilities, strengthened ambulance and emergency medical services, constructed sanitation and menstrual hygiene management facilities in schools, and installed solar-powered systems that ensure uninterrupted water and health services in remote communities.
The humanitarian equipment being handed over will significantly strengthen ERCS’s rapid emergency response and operational capacity. The 12 heavy-duty IVECO trucks and 10 ISUZU trucks will enhance the transportation of humanitarian supplies and emergency relief items across difficult terrains and hard-to-reach areas. The water drilling rig, capable of reaching groundwater depths of up to 300 meters, together with the crane, water trucks, and desludging truck, will expand access to safe water and sanitation services for drought and crisis-affected communities across the country.
HE Darren Welch, UK Ambassador to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union said:
“The UK and Ethiopia have been working in partnership for years to strengthen the country’s emergency preparedness, humanitarian support and response capacity. I’m proud to see the United Kingdom is handing over additional support to Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) in support of the vital work they have been carrying out across Ethiopia over the last 90 years.
As climate change continues to impact across the region, this equipment will support ERCS in delivering humanitarian assistance, water supply, vital medial services and disaster relief, increasing the resilience of Ethiopia to response to disasters.”
Ato Abera Tola, President of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, said:
“For nearly 90 years, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society has been providing vital medical services, water supply, and disaster relief support to vulnerable communities across Ethiopia. Today’s handover represents more than the transfer of vehicles and equipment; it is a reflection of the strong partnership, trust, and solidarity between the Ethiopian Red Cross Society and the United Kingdom Government. The support provided through the FCDO will significantly strengthen our capacity to reach communities affected by conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and other emergencies across Ethiopia, particularly those living in remote and hard-to-reach areas.”
“The newly donated trucks and WASH equipment will significantly improve our ability to deliver timely humanitarian assistance. By investing in local humanitarian leadership and operational capacity, the UK Government continues to play a critical role in strengthening sustainable and locally led humanitarian action in Ethiopia. We remain deeply grateful for this continued partnership and support.”
About the Ethiopian Red Cross Society
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society is one of Ethiopia’s oldest and largest humanitarian organizations, established in 1935. Through its nationwide branch network and volunteers, ERCS provides emergency response, health and care services, water and sanitation support, disaster risk reduction, ambulance services, humanitarian diplomacy, and resilience-building interventions to communities affected by disasters and crises.
For more information visit: https://redcrosseth.org/
About FCDO in Ethiopia
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) maintains a longstanding partnership with Ethiopia, working to strengthen bilateral relations and support sustainable development outcomes.
For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-addis-ababa.