UN raises alarm in Ethiopia’s province of Tigray. Hunger hangs over the region, which has been at war for almost seven months. The Ethiopian government met with rebels from the TPLF, a breakaway Tigrayan party, with the help of the Eritrean army. Today, 91% of the population needs food aid. Famine would be inevitable in two months, according to the UN.
as reported from Addis Ababa, Noé Rochet-Bodin
This province with almost 6 million inhabitants needs 5,200,000 food aid. The UN results are extremely alarming. If food aid is not increased in the next two months, famine would hover over the province.
The World Food Program, the latest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, demands international solidarity. More than $ 200 million in aid would be needed to avoid a tragedy in Tigray.
The UN and all humanitarian organizations complain about the lack of access in the province. Rural areas are difficult to access. And some of the humanitarian convoys are hijacked by the Eritrean soldiers intervening in Tigray.
The province is known for its fragile food situation. Even before the conflict, 600,000 people were in humanitarian need. An invasion of grasshoppers had destroyed some of the crops. 90% of the remaining reserves have been looted or burned, the UN assures.
Ten days ago The United States imposed sanctions against Ethiopia and Eritrea, accusing its soldiers of blocking some of the humanitarian aid.
.
