By Samuel Gebre and David Wainer, 4 March 2021, 22:47 GMT
The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region continues to deteriorate with the risk of famine and escalating violence “higher than we imagined even as recently as a month ago,” the United Nations humanitarian chief said at a briefing Thursday for the Security Council.
It has been four months since the conflict broke out after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered troops to respond to an attack on a military base by forces allied with the then Tigray regional administrators, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Currently, 4.5 million of the region’s roughly 6 million people need food assistance, with much of the area inaccessible, according to Mark Lowcock, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. The Ethiopian federal government and aid agencies have dispatched food for 3.8 million people.
“The limited assessments we have been able to conduct show a bleak picture — we suspect they are the tip of the iceberg,” Lowcock said. “Ultimately, if food does not get through and there is no agricultural revival, famine is possible. There have already been anecdotal reports of starvation. The worst is still avoidable,” Lowcock said.
‘Prompt Withdrawal’
There have been multiple reports of atrocities involving mass killings, rapes, abductions of civilians, looting and destruction of food, offices and cultural heritage sites including churches and monasteries. The crimes being committed by all parties including the foreign forces from neighboring Eritrea.
“The onus to prevent further atrocities and human suffering falls squarely on the Ethiopian government’s shoulders,” said Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. representative to the United Nations. “We urge the Ethiopian government to support an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray. And to that end, the prompt withdrawal of Eritrean forces and Amhara regional forces from Tigray are essential steps.”
Earlier Thursday, UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for a UN-led investigation into atrocities, citing credible reports of grave violations in Tigray, in a statement.
“Without prompt, impartial and transparent investigations and holding those responsible accountable, I fear violations will continue to be committed with impunity, and the situation will remain volatile for a long time to come,” Bachelet said.
The Ethiopian government had initially blocked access to aid agencies but access is improving, Lowcock said. In the past month, 84 UN and NGO international staff were granted access. “We still need to get more staff into Tigray, especially beyond Mekelle, but this is a good start.”
The population is also at a risk from water-borne diseases and Covid-19, the UN says, due to the lack of access to water, hygiene and sanitation services across the region.
Lowcock also called for the Eritrean forces to leave Tigray. “Eritrean Defence Forces must leave Ethiopia, and they must not be enabled or permitted to continue their campaign of destruction before they do so.”Published on 4 March 2021, 22:47 GMT
International media coverage for this crisis is finally settling down. This is a rather fair assesment. News agencies like Cnn have been a little out of line by airing fake videos, unsubstantiated claims etc, even comparing it with historical genocidal events. That was shameful. If they dont care about the truth, they should be mindful of real genocide victims. Not a word to throw around for every conflict. Who will believe Cnn again?
I do not think the UN trusts its own assessments. They know to 100% Abiy and its allies are not to be trusted. He has support from the Amhara elites who are intoxicated in hate towards the Tigrians and the TPLF. They believe no one but the Amharas should own Ethiopia, this is a perception in every Amhara elite I know. This perception is above everything to an extent they can take risks of destroying Ethiopia and themselves. They will take back Ethiopia in to the primitive way of livings. The economy has never been a concern for those people. They are used to live in a slave and master relations. Abiy or king Ahab will continue to filibuster the UN and the EU
Facts:
. Abiy is an illegitimate prime minster at the time he started attacking Tigray.
. Thousands of Tegaru are killed
. Hundreds women and children are raped
. Thousands are wounded
. Hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, economic structures are burned, destroyed
. Churches and monasteries are looted, burned, destroyed
. cattle, goats, sheep, cars are looted and transported to Eritrea and Amhara region.
.Villages are destroyed and those people who lived in them are killed or disappeared.
. The faces of those villages altered, as per satellite data.
. One million Tagaru have have disappeared.
. UN is not helping
Thanks goes to those who are advocating for the Tegaru.
I hear Russia voted against action on #abiy. That is no wonder. #putin is in the same catagory with #abiy - another atocrate whose rule should be Investigated!
Continuation of above.
Sorry. Forgot link above.
See below for #putin atrocities
https://m.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/russia-faces-criticism-after-opposition-politicians-detained-during-a-forum.html?dc_data=1551970_samsung-carnival-globalenglish&utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral&ui=f7574241-1c26-4315-8b3e-702da9559c17
Tags
#tigray #ethiopia #tplf #abiyahmed #tesfagiorgis #biden #eu #england #martinplaut #africa #usa #middleeast #addisstandard #eritereahub #ethiopiainsight #tigrepeople #amhara #somali-ethiopians