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“With the road closed, food, health and other emergency supplies currently have no way to reach Tigray, making prior repositioning or resupply impossible,” the UN emergency relief agency said in an update. posted on Thursday.
“Telephone lines remain cut, making it difficult for the flow of information and corroboration of media reports for the humanitarian community, as well as to monitor population movement and additional humanitarian needs,” he added.
Furthermore, it is reported that banks are closed and vehicles are prohibited on roads in and out of the region. There are already shortages of basic goods, hitting the most vulnerable first.
Violence broke out in Tigray last week involving federal and local forces, following the takeover of a military base in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, after which the prime minister ordered a military offensive.
In a statement issued at the time, the Secretary General called for “immediate measures to reduce tensions and ensure a peaceful solution to the dispute.”
Concern for civilians
OCHA has also expressed concern for the protection of civilians, especially children, women, the elderly and the disabled, amid hostilities.
“Existing risks to the protection of children are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing hostilities,” he added, noting the high risk of children being separated from their parents or caregivers, exposing them to abuse and exploitation. .
There are also concerns about damage to crops by desert locusts, worsening food insecurity, and the spread of COVID-19.
Committed to staying
OCHA also reiterated that the UN and its partner organizations are “committed to staying and providing humanitarian assistance” and that a response plan for the Tigray region is being rapidly developed.
According to OCHA, there are some 600,000 food beneficiaries in the region, around 100,000 internally displaced persons and some 96,000 refugees.
