On Monday, the Ethiopian government said that in the conflict-hit northern Tigray regional state, humanitarian assistance is being provided as planned.
Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia made the remarks while briefing the diplomatic community and the Human and Resilience Donor Group on the current humanitarian situation in Tigray.
Weeks of battling in Tigray between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the region until its defeat, and the Ethiopian Defence Forces have reportedly left hundreds of people dead, thousands left homeless, and millions in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Over the past six weeks, more than 53,000 refugees have fled Tigray into eastern Sudan, according to the UN refugee agency.
Demeke informed the diplomatic community that “food items, commodities, and medical supplies are being provided in the region to address the needs of the beneficiaries”
Recall that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and 30 humanitarian partners called for USD 156 million on 22 December 2020 to meet the “critical humanitarian needs” of Ethiopian refugees fleeing the Tigray conflict in the first half of 2021.
The urgent financial appeal is also expected to strengthen the readiness of other countries in the region to receive refugees in the event of further movements, the UN refugee agency says.
Recalling the “colossal destruction” caused by the TPLF fighters to the infrastructure, Demeke also emphasized the “daunting task” of reconstruction that is now underway with the restoration of telecommunications lines in almost all parts of the region and the resumption of operations by financial institutions.
Following the TPLF defeat, the Ethiopian government assigned an interim administration to administer the region.
According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a common understanding was reached concerning the continuation of the donor group’s commitment to work to further expand humanitarian activities in the region.
