Gambella faces a resurgent malaria crisis amid climate challenges and strained health resources

The Gambella region is particularly vulnerable due to its low-lying geography, warm temperatures, prolonged rainy seasons, and extensive waterways that create ideal breeding grounds for Anopheles mosquitoes. The situation is exacerbated by displacement, poverty, difficult roads, seasonal flooding, limited health resources, and population movement across the South Sudan border. Kule Refugee Camp, home to over 55,000 refugees, exemplifies these pressures, where residents face challenges in accessing timely diagnosis and treatment.

The World Health Organization's "World malaria report 2025" also noted a global increase of approximately nine million malaria cases in 2024 compared to 2023. The region's porous border with South Sudan complicates disease surveillance and treatment continuity, as people frequently cross for trade, work, and family reasons. Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications such as anemia, kidney failure, and cerebral malaria.

While Ethiopia has invested in prevention efforts like insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying, these measures face challenges including inconsistent use, rapid recreation of breeding sites after heavy rainfall, and growing mosquito resistance to insecticides. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Health, a