[ad_1]
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 1, 2021 – In light of two recent attacks on humanitarian personnel in Ethiopia, international humanitarian NGOs (HINGO) are calling for the protection of all humanitarian aid workers and civilians so that assistance reaches all people in need.
On March 24 in West Wellega, a GOAL vehicle was attacked and the driver was killed by unknown armed agents. On March 23 in Tigray, a driver from the independent medical agency Doctors Without Borders was beaten and his team witnessed extrajudicial executions of civilians by the armed forces.
In both cases, the vehicles were clearly marked as belonging to non-governmental humanitarian agencies. Both agencies provide life-saving nutrition and health care to crisis-affected men, women and children in Ethiopia.
In the past year, seven humanitarian aid workers in Ethiopia they have been assassinated by armed actors.
The HINGOs are principled humanitarian actors, working with the consent of the Ethiopian government and abiding by the laws of the country. Our 54 members serve people in need regardless of ethnicity, politics or religion.
In 2019, the HINGOs reached more than 28 million people in need with vital assistance and essential services across the country. The HINGOs employ more than 13,000 Ethiopian employees and less than 1% of HINGO’s staff are international.
The HINGOs strongly condemn the attacks and killings of humanitarian personnel and civilians. We call on all armed actors to respect Ethiopian and international humanitarian law. These attacks and killings must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable in accordance with Ethiopian law.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Madiha Race
International Rescue Committee
+44 7737 945292
[email protected]
IRC Global Communications
+1 646 761 0307
[email protected]
