Ethiopian government says humanitarian assistance is taking place in Tigray region

The Ethiopian government said on Monday that humanitarian assistance is being provided as planned in the conflict-affected regional state of Tigray in northern Ethiopia.

The comment was made by Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, while briefing the diplomatic community and the Human and Resilience Donor Group on the current humanitarian situation in Tigray.

Weeks of fighting in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the region until its defeat, and the Ethiopian Defense Forces have reportedly left hundreds dead, thousands displaced and millions in urgent need of help. humanitarian assistance.

More than 53,000 refugees have fled Tigray into eastern Sudan in the past six weeks, according to the UN refugee agency.

Mekonnen told the diplomatic community that “food, commodities and medical supplies are being provided in the region to meet the needs of the beneficiaries.”

On December 22, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and 30 humanitarian partners requested US $ 156 million to meet “critical humanitarian needs” of Ethiopian refugees fleeing the Tigray conflict through the first half of 2021.

The flash financial appeal is also expected to strengthen preparedness to receive refugees in other countries in the region in the event of new refugee movements, the UN refugee agency said.

Recalling the “colossal destruction” caused to infrastructure by TPLF fighters, Mekonnen also emphasized the “overwhelming task” of reconstruction that is now underway with the restoration of telecommunications lines in almost all parts of the region and the institutions financial companies resuming operations.

The Ethiopian government has assigned an interim administration to manage the region after the defeat of the TPLF.

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a common understanding was reached to continue the commitment with the group of donors to work on expanding humanitarian activities in the region.