A year after the United States slashed aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with many residents facing severe hunger, lack of medical care, and ongoing violence. The region, once the largest recipient of USAID funds in sub-Saharan Africa, has been left with little support, according to aid workers and local officials.
The conflict in Tigray, which began in November 2020 between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian government, has had a devastating impact on the local population. Thousands have been killed, and millions have been displaced, with reports of widespread human rights abuses, including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Despite the scale of the crisis, the international community has been slow to respond, and the US decision to cut aid has only exacerbated the situation. “The people of Tigray have been left to fend for themselves,” said Sarah Alemu, a local aid worker. “They are facing hunger, disease, and violence, with little humanitarian support to help them.”
The lack of access to basic services, such as healthcare and clean water, has had a devastating impact on the region’s residents. “We have seen a significant increase in the number of people suffering from malnutrition and preventable diseases,” said Dr. Amina Abdi, a medical professional working in Tigray. “The situation is dire, and we desperately need more resources to help these people.”
The ongoing violence in the region has also made it difficult for aid organisations to reach those in need. “It’s a constant battle to get supplies and personnel into the area,” said James Okumu, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “The security situation is extremely volatile, and we are constantly having to navigate checkpoints and other obstacles.”
Despite the challenges, aid workers and local officials remain committed to providing support to the people of Tigray. “We are doing everything we can to get food, medicine, and other essential supplies to those who need it,” said Alemu. “But the need is overwhelming, and we simply don’t have enough resources to meet the demand.”
As the crisis in Tigray continues to unfold, the international community is being called upon to take urgent action. “The world cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people of Tigray,” said Okumu. “We need to see a significant increase in humanitarian aid and a renewed commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to this conflict.”
