Over the past two months, the regional government of Tigray has reported that at least 728 people have lost their lives following the suspension of food aid by the US and the UN to the war-torn region in Ethiopia.
According to an official from Tigray’s Disaster Risk Management Commission, Gebrehiwot Gebregziaher, the majority of the victims were children, pregnant mothers, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Although USAid and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) officially halted aid in April due to concerns over theft and resale of the shipments, in reality, many Tigrayans had been deprived of assistance long before the formal suspension. This prolonged period without aid has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The situation highlights the urgent need for sustained humanitarian support and a robust mechanism to ensure the effective delivery of aid to the vulnerable population in Tigray. Addressing the challenges of theft and ensuring that aid reaches those in dire need is crucial to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.
People feel they are “dying of famine in the dark even though it is declared to the world [that] peace is flourished,” said Dr Gebrehiwot, referring to a peace deal made in Pretoria in November last year between Ethiopia’s government and TPLF rebels after two years of civil war.