Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – (African Boulevard News) – The Tigray region in northern Ethiopia has been in the news for the past few years due to conflicts and humanitarian crises. The recent announcement by the United States and the World Food Program (WFP) to suspend food aid to the region has caused a stir, leaving millions of people in the region without a source of food.
The suspension of food aid by the United States and WFP was announced on Wednesday, following reports of aid workers being attacked and denied access to the people in need of aid in the Tigray region. The decision, according to the US government, is aimed at creating a safe environment for aid workers and ensuring the aid reaches the intended beneficiaries.
“The safety and security of humanitarian workers and the people they serve are of paramount importance,” said the USAID Administrator Samantha Power. “We call on all parties to the conflict in Tigray to ensure the safety and security of aid workers and to allow unimpeded access to those in need.”
The Tigray region has been in turmoil since November 2020, when the Ethiopian government launched an offensive to oust the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) from power. The conflict has killed thousands of people, displaced more than 2 million, and left millions in need of humanitarian aid.
According to the WFP, more than 5 million people in the region are in urgent need of food aid, and the suspension of aid will exacerbate an already dire situation.
“The suspension of WFP’s operations will have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people who depend on our assistance for their survival,” said Steven Were Omamo, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia.
The announcement has sparked concerns among humanitarian workers and experts, with many calling on the Ethiopian government to address the security concerns and ensure that aid reaches those in need.
“The suspension of food aid to Tigray is a serious blow to the already desperate situation in the region,” said William Davison, Senior Analyst for Ethiopia at the International Crisis Group. “It’s critical that all parties to the conflict allow humanitarian access to Tigray, so that aid can be delivered to those in need.”
The suspension of aid to the Tigray region is a cause for concern, as it will have a ripple effect on the already dire situation in the region. The Ethiopian government and all parties involved in the conflict must ensure the safety and security of aid workers and allow unimpeded access to those in need. Only then can the humanitarian crisis in Tigray be resolved.
