ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has caused a huge global challenge putting human security in jeopardy. In poor countries like Ethiopia, with struggling economies ridden by recurrent conflict and political crises, the negative impact of the pandemic is multitudinous. The pandemic affected the progress of the growth of the country’s economy and hamper public access to basic services. It also caused a negative social and psychological impact. The stability of the political and security situation in the country was compromised. Displaced people hosted in the country also experienced the challenge. However, some opportunities came up with the pandemic. It called for a thinking shift in terms of people’s lifestyles, ensuring the continuity of businesses, and revisiting the effectiveness of pandemic preparedness plans. Thus, many countries like Ethiopia could draw good lessons from the pandemic. In this regard, countries need to put in place comprehensive preparedness and response plan, which encompasses all aspects of human security: economic, political, social, and psychological elements. Moreover, such plans should be inclusive of forcefully displaced people.
