By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The United Nations is weighing a suspension of relief operations in Ethiopia’s Amhara region due to escalating violence against aid workers. In the first half of 2024, five aid workers were killed, with numerous assaults and kidnappings reported.
Such a suspension could critically impact food assistance for over 2.3 million people reliant on aid. U.N. humanitarian coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov highlighted the urgent need for safety guarantees and independent investigations before any resumption of aid can occur. NGOs and donor nations are voicing concerns, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation.
Plan International’s Ethiopia director, Peter Sweetnam, underscored the need to approach any operational changes with caution, given the desperate conditions faced by those in the region. The ongoing violence complicates efforts to deliver essential support, leaving many vulnerable
SOURCE: Reuters
