KEY POINTS
- The UN considers halting aid in Amhara after multiple attacks on aid workers.
- Over 2.3 million people could lose access to food aid if relief is suspended.
- NGOs and donor countries urge continued support, despite security concerns.
The United Nations is contemplating a suspension of relief operations in Ethiopia’s Amhara region after a series of attacks on humanitarian workers. This move, if implemented, would affect the delivery of essential food aid to millions of people.
Increased Threats to Aid Workers
A draft document from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights the rising dangers faced by aid workers in Amhara.
From January to June 2024, five humanitarian workers were killed, 10 assaulted, and 11 kidnapped by unidentified groups. The document stresses that the UN is seriously considering a temporary halt to aid efforts until safety can be assured.
Despite the gravity of the situation, several NGOs and donor countries have expressed opposition to the suspension, warning that such action could leave 2.3 million people in Amhara without access to critical food aid. Amhara, with a population of over 36 million, has also become a refuge for thousands of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Tensions and Conflict in Amhara
The Amhara region has seen escalating violence since July 2023, when fighting broke out between Ethiopian government forces and the Fano militia, which previously supported the government in the civil war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
According to Reuters, relations between the militia and the government soured after the war, leading to new conflicts.
As humanitarian workers face growing threats, the UN is demanding security guarantees before considering a return to relief operations.
Also, OCHA has called for independent investigations into the killings and kidnappings of aid workers and assurances that these incidents will not be repeated.
The Humanitarian Impact
The proposed cessation of aid operations would have a severe impact on the region.
With millions relying on aid for survival, the decision to suspend operations is not being taken lightly.
NGOs like Plan International have also raised concerns about the dire humanitarian consequences of halting aid, emphasizing the need for a secure environment to continue providing relief.
