The ICRC and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) jointly distributed emergency relief assistance on February 21-22 to people displaced by ethnic violence in Eastern Ethiopia. Some 690 families displaced from different areas of East Hararghe Zone, Oromia region, and sheltered in Kore and Ali-Ethiopia localities in Somali region received the assistance. "It is the first time for the ICRC to make such delivery to conflict-affected communities in Somali Regional State after it was forced to suspend its operation 11 years ago," highlighted Julien Lerisson, the Head of the ICRC delegation in Ethiopia. The ICRC could resume its operation in the region as of November 2018 after it was invited by the Somali regional government. The ICRC provides assistance to both Somali and Oromo communities affected by ethnic conflict.

Source: Ethiopian News March 05, 2019 16:30 UTC