Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – (African Boulevard News) – The Ethiopian government has criticized the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) over their recent decision to suspend food aid to the country. The move comes as Ethiopia faces a severe food crisis due to drought and conflict, with millions of people in need of assistance.
“This suspension of food aid ‘punishes millions of people'”, government spokesman Legesse Tulu said at a press conference, calling the decision “political”. “Making only the government responsible (for providing aid) is unfair.”
The WFP and USAID announced the suspension last week, citing concerns over access and security for aid workers. However, the Ethiopian government has dismissed these claims, saying that they have been working closely with both organizations to ensure the safety of aid workers and access to areas in need.
“We are deeply concerned about the suspension of food aid by WFP and USAID,” said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. “This move is unacceptable and will only worsen the suffering of our people. We urge both organizations to reconsider their decision and to work with us to find a solution that will allow aid to continue.”
The suspension of food aid comes at a critical time for Ethiopia, which is facing one of the worst droughts in decades. The UN has warned that more than 10 million people are in need of assistance, with many of them facing severe malnutrition and hunger.
“The decision by WFP and USAID to suspend food aid is a serious setback for Ethiopia,” said Ahmed Soliman, a researcher at the Africa Program of Chatham House. “It will not only exacerbate the food crisis but also harm the long-term development of the country.”
The Ethiopian government has called on the international community to provide more assistance to the country, saying that it cannot address the crisis alone. It has also urged the WFP and USAID to reconsider their decision and to work with the government to find a solution that will allow aid to continue to reach those in need.
“This is not the time to play politics with people’s lives,” said Tulu. “We need to work together to address this crisis and to ensure that no one goes hungry.”
