At least 372 people have died in two northern Ethiopian regions from drought-induced hunger in the last six months, a senior government official said on Wednesday, adding to the regions' challenges arising from conflict. Endale said the findings were from a 10-day assessment in the two regions, and it was possible there were more deaths. Legesse Tulu, government spokesperson, Mengasha Fentaw, spokesperson of Amhara region and Redaei Halefom, spokesperson of Tigray, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the deaths. In late December, Getachew Reda, the president of Tigray region's interim administration, said 91% of the region's population was at risk of starvation and death and the situation was beyond the administration's capacity to handle. Last May, the WFP suspended food aid to Tigray following reports of widespread theft of donations.

Source: Ethiopian News January 31, 2024 22:05 UTC