Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – (African Boulevard News) – The Ethiopian government has condemned the World Food Programme (WFP) for halting aid distribution in Tigray after the suspension of US food aid by USAID. The government spokesperson, Legesse Tulu, called the decision “political” and accused WFP of punishing millions of people in Tigray.
Last week, the USAID suspended food aid to Ethiopia citing the country’s failure to sign a new agreement allowing for significant reforms in the distribution of emergency aid. The WFP followed suit and suspended food aid in areas of Tigray where it was the only agency distributing aid.
The suspension of food aid has led to fears that the humanitarian crisis in Tigray, which has left millions of people without food, will worsen. The Ethiopian government has called on the WFP to reverse its decision and resume aid distribution.
“This suspension of food aid punishes millions of people,” said Legesse Tulu at a press conference. “Making only the government responsible (for the distribution of aid) is unfair and unjustifiable. The WFP should reverse its decision and continue to distribute aid.”
The Tigray conflict started in November 2020 when troops loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked a military base in the region. Since then, the conflict has led to thousands of deaths and forced over two million people to flee their homes.
The Ethiopian government has been accused of committing human rights abuses during the conflict, including rape, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The government denies the allegations and has accused the WFP of supporting the TPLF.
The suspension of aid has also raised concerns about the relationship between Ethiopia and the international community. The USAID has been the largest donor of aid to Ethiopia, providing over $1 billion in aid every year.
The Ethiopian government has accused the USAID of interfering in its internal affairs and damaging its sovereignty. The government has also accused the US of supporting the TPLF and trying to destabilize the country.
The decision to suspend food aid comes at a time when Ethiopia is facing a severe drought and food crisis. The government has been criticized for its slow response to the crisis and has been accused of prioritizing its military operations over the needs of its people.
The suspension of food aid has further exacerbated the crisis and the humanitarian situation in Tigray is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. The Ethiopian government has called on the international community to provide aid and support to the country.
In conclusion, the suspension of US food aid and subsequent decision by WFP to halt aid distribution have raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Tigray. The Ethiopian government has condemned the decisions and called for aid to be resumed. The international community has been urged to provide aid and support to Ethiopia during this difficult time.
