UN Considers Suspending Aid Efforts in Amhara Following Attacks on Workers
Amidst a series of deadly attacks on aid workers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, the United Nations is contemplating halting food aid deliveries to the area. According to reports, five aid workers have been killed, ten physically assaulted, and eleven kidnapped by unknown criminal groups in the first half of 2024.
The situation has prompted the UN to consider a temporary pause in relief operations in Amhara, a move that has been met with opposition from several NGOs and donors. If implemented, it would have severe consequences for the more than 23 million people in Amhara who depend on food aid for their survival.
The ongoing conflict in the region, which started in July 2023 between Ethiopia’s army and Amhara Fano militiamen, has resulted in hundreds of casualties and displaced thousands. This comes on the heels of accusations that Ethiopia used starvation as a weapon during a recent civil war in the Tigray region.
UN resident and humanitarian coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov has expressed concerns about the safety of aid workers in Amhara and stressed the need for a secure environment to carry out relief efforts. Before resuming operations in the region, the Ethiopian government must agree to certain commitments, including ensuring the safety of aid workers and conducting impartial investigations into any incidents.
The UN’s decision will have a significant impact on the millions of people in Amhara who are in desperate need of assistance. The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring developments in the region.
Source: Reuters
