However, the federal government hasn’t officially declared the crisis a famine, as this remains a highly sensitive word in Ethiopia. Adding salt to the wounds are the Ethiopian government’s denial that what’s happening constitutes a famine and the months-long discontinuation of international humanitarian aid. Perilous SituationThe unfolding famine in Tigray is not confined to isolated pockets; it engulfs entire communities across the region. According to the international famine classification, much of Tigray is soon expected to have fallen into IPC phase four (emergency), and could eventually fall into phase 5 (catastrophe). The unfolding famine in Tigray demands an immediate, coordinated, and evidence-based response from the international community.
