Situation of IDPs in Afar region, Photo: EHRCAddis Abeba – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said IDP returnees in war-affected zones in Afar regional state unable to get back to their normal lives due to hindrances and restriction on free movement of people and trade activities across regional states, in addition to lack of adequate and timely humanitarian support. In a statement it released yesterday, EHRC said, “IDPs and returnees are not being provided with adequate, timely and accessible humanitarian assistance including food, water, shelter, health, education and other social services”. According to the statement undue economic pressure the IDP returnees are experiencing due to restrictions on free movement of people and business activities have become serious impediment in creating enabling conditions for the permanent establishment of returnees. The commission urged the federal and regional governments to properly discharge their responsibilities in resolving war aftermath problems in the region that have restricted the economic and commercial activities of the IDPs and the returnees. The commission expressed dismay that previous recommendations forwarded to both federal and regional governments on the need to improve the precarious conditions of the IDPs have not been heeded.

Source: Ethiopian News February 23, 2023 22:23 UTC