Weeks after a bit of normalcy was restored to Northern Ethiopia region of Tigray, the U.N has said that fighting is still ongoing in several parts of the region with locals in need of aids.
In a report released on Thursday, the UN said at least 2.3m Ethiopians need aids as they’ve been victims of war and looting.
It also said not only were properties destroyed and people displaced, looting of hospitals and health centres were apparent while schools were also looted.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said although electricity and communication have been restored, the 90,000 displaced people are still in need.
“Infrastructure needs to urgently be restored as many buildings, including schools, hospitals and administration offices, have been looted and damaged. Health facilities outside of major cities are non-functional and those in the major cities are partially working, with limited to no stock of supplies and absence of health workers, ” it said.
“Since the conflict erupted, only 77,000 people, mostly in Mekelle and its surroundings, and 25,000 refugees in two camps (Mai Ayni and Adi Harush) received food support from the UN and partners. Access to most parts of north-western, eastern and central Tigray remains constrained due to the ongoing insecurity and bureaucratic hurdles. Two of the four refugee camps in the region (Hitsats and Shimelba) are still not accessible.
“The interruption of COVID-19 surveillance and control activities in the region, coupled with mass displacements and overcrowded conditions in displacement setting, is feared to have facilitated massive community transmission. Limited prevention activities have started, including the distribution of 1200 COVID-19 prevention and hygiene promotion leaflets and personal protective materials, provision of health education and organization of a sanitation campaign in displacement sites in Shire. Additional COVID-19 specific responses are planned by partners.
“We continue to engage with the Government for the unrestricted and safe passage of humanitarian personnel and supplies to all parts of Tigray region.”
A bitter conflict between Tigrayan and Ethiopian forces led to attacks and reprisals which led to the displacement of many Tigrayans to Eritrea and Sudan.
Leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, Debretsion Gebremichael and others are yet to be found with the Ethiopian government placing bounties on them.