“WFP takes this issue extremely seriously and will not tolerate any interference in its distribution of critical food aid to the most vulnerable women, men and children”, the agency said in a statement released on Wednesday night. Tweet URL WFP_EthiopiaThe agency has already launched a comprehensive investigation, and “taken swift action to establish all the facts and further strengthen our controls.”Food distribution on holdAs a result, WFP has temporarily paused all food distributions in Tigray, saying that they will not resume until they can ensure aid will get to its intended recipients. The brutal conflict between Ethiopian Government forces and the rebel fighters of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front erupted in November 2020, fought primarily across the northern province, but spilling into other parts of northern Ethiopia, drawing in forces from Eritrea, with allegations of war crimes committed on all sides. Hundreds of thousands were reportedly killed and despite the formal cessation of hostilities in early November last year, the major humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the fighting, has continued. “WFP is resolutely committed to ensure life-saving food assistance reaches those most in need efficiently and effectively.”

Source: Ethiopian News May 05, 2023 05:44 UTC