News in Brief

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen welcomes to his office Foreign Minister of Somalia

Ambassador Redwan Hussein urges the International community to hold TPLF accountable for obstructing humanitarian support by harassing adjacent regions

Ministry briefs ambassadors of EU member states on the ongoing investigation on atrocities committed in the conflict in northern Ethiopia

Ethiopia the ‘Land of Runners’

On the interview of Deputy Army Chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces

On WHO obstructing Ethiopia’s delivery of a statement on misconduct of Tedros Adhanom (Statement)

Updates on medical and other essential supplies to the Tigray region

Africa and the African Union

The Inter-Governmental Authority on development (IGAD) Water Dialogue Forum was held on Tuesday (January 25) in the Ugandan city of Entebbe under the slogan Groundwater for Resilience. IGAD holds the second forum in cooperation with the member states and development partners to discuss a number of axes in papers and studies that include groundwater for peace and stability, groundwater, climate change and the ability to adapt to drought, groundwater for social and economic development, groundwater financing innovation, technological development and capacity building in the field of ground water.

Ethiopia

President Sahle-Work Zewde on Friday (January 21) said the forthcoming National Dialogue is significant to reaching a consensus on key national issues. “I have signed the proclamation establishing the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission pursuant to the constitution of the country. I believe in the significance of genuine and inclusive dialogue. I have worked on such issue and witnessed its outcomes,” the President underlined.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday (January 25) has visited Kabribayah which is one of many host communities in the Somali Regional State supporting drought-affected displaced persons. “In the interim, we will scale up the provision of water trucks, food, animal feed, and essential medicines, while we accelerate the small dams’ projects, we have embarked upon to support water management in lowland areas, as a pathway to circumventing future droughts,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday (January 23) recognized media personnel and musical artists in a gratitude ceremony organized to thank them for their contributions during “Operation Unity in Diversity.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday (January 22) met and discussed various issues with associations and members of the Ethiopian Diaspora community that traveled as part of the Great Ethiopian Home Coming. The story in the Associated Press claiming to get information from an attendee in the Prime Minister’s discussion over the Ethiopian government’s plan to have a negotiation with the TPLF is not a confirmed story, according to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday (January 22) met and discussed with Lieutenant-General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Vice-President of the Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan on bilateral issues of mutual interest between Ethiopia and Sudan. “I am pleased to welcome today Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Vice-President of the Sovereignty Council of the sisterly Republic of Sudan. I would like to express, once again, my appreciation for the deep historical bonds that bind our two people.”  Prime Minister Abiy tweeted. In related news, Ethiopian Defense Minister Abraham Belay (Ph.D.) and Vice President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Lieutenant-General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo discussed bilateral issues on Sunday (January 23). Abraham stated that during the discussion the two stressed the need for a close partnership between Ethiopia and Sudan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen received at his office on Thursday (January 26), the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia,   Abdisaid Muse Ali. The two sides discussed ways to further boost their bilateral relations and current situations in Ethiopia. They have discussed, in particular points of cooperation in the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where Ethiopian peacekeeping forces are taking part. (See article)

Foreign Affairs State Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussien on Friday (January 21) received to his office board members of the Ethiopian Public Diplomacy Institute who came to Ethiopia responding to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Great Homecoming Challenge. The Ethiopian Public Diplomacy Institute is registered in Sweden by Ethiopians who are actively safeguarding the interests of Ethiopia by targeting the Arabic audience. They, in particular, are active in informing the Arabic language audience through renowned media outlets on issues related to the construction and filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

State Minister, Ambassador Redwan Hussein on Friday (January 21) had a discussion on humanitarian support in Ethiopia with the Regional Director of the World Food Program,  Michael John Denford. On the occasion, Ambassador Redwan reiterated the federal government’s commitment to peace in Ethiopia through its decision to withhold the advance of its troops into the Tigray region. (See article)

In a symposium focused on the role of the Diaspora Community in development and peace endeavors in Ethiopia held in Gondar City on Friday (January 22), State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano lauded the contribution of the Diaspora Community in several parts of the world in defending the national interests of Ethiopia in several trying times including external pressures from the western world.

Deputy Army Chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), General Abebaw Tadesse spoke with local media outlets (EBC and FBC) over the week. His discussion covered the timeline, critical incidents, and the whole process of the law enforcement operation and the war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) that has been ongoing since November 2020. (See article)

The Ministry of Justice briefed ambassadors of EU member states in Ethiopia on Wednesday (January 26) on the status of the proposed all-inclusive dialogue and the activities of the inter-ministerial task force on atrocities committed in the conflict in the north. (See article)

Ethiopian Permanent Mission to the UN, Geneva on Tuesday (January 25) issued a statement protesting the WHO board for halting Ethiopia’s representative speech on Tedros Adhanom’s misconduct. (See Statement)

The ICRC made its first and second delivery of medical supplies since last September into Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. With the support and through the facilitation of the government of Ethiopia, supplies including essential drugs have arrived in Mekelle on since Wednesday (January 26). They will be distributed to the region’s health facilities.

Government Communication Service on Thursday (January 28) said as a result of the TPLF renewed attacks on Aba’ala, the only humanitarian corridor in the Afar region, humanitarian convoys had to stop their travel to Tigray and return. “This indicates that the terrorist group is still trying to use hunger as a political tool.” The latest attacks by the TPLF on Abala, Magale, Barahle, and Erebti areas in the Afar Region have reported to displace more than 200,000 people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Tuesday (January 25) detailing the provision of medical and other essential supplies to the Tigray region since the declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire in June 2020. (See Statement) 

The Council of Ministers in its 2nd Extraordinary Session convened on Wednesday (January 26) to discuss the removal of the six-month State of Emergency ahead of its expiration, considering changes in the security situation. It is to be recalled that the nation declared the State of Emergency on November 2, 2021, to protect the sovereignty of the nation from the threat posed by the TPLF and its allies. Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 (2) of Proclamation No. 1264/2021, the House of Peoples’ Representatives has the power to shorten the period before the expiration of the six-month period if the circumstances that demanded the declaration of a state of emergency are changed. Therefore, the Council of Ministers discussed and passed a decision accordingly to remove the State of Emergency and submitted the resolution to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for approval.

The House of Peoples Representatives has shortlisted 42 candidates out of individuals nominated by the public to oversee the forthcoming national dialogue. Speaker of the House, Tagesse Chaffo, in a press briefing, said that the public has nominated commissioners for the national dialogue pursuant to Proclamation No. 1265/2022. He added that 632 candidates have been so far nominated directly by the public in the submission process held until January 21, 2022.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Israel, Reta Alemu on Tuesday (January 25) had a meeting with Ambassador Ziv Vapini, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Israel. The two sides discussed the current situation in Ethiopia and relations between the two countries. Ambassador Reta gave a briefing on the atrocities committed by the TPLF in the Afar and Amhara regions that killed and displaced many people besides destroying infrastructure. Ambassador Ziv Vapini said the Isareli government is closely following situations in Ethiopia.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, Taye Atske Selassie on Sunday (January 23) stated that the efforts of the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres will change the status-quo approach towards Africa. Ambassador Taye lauded the Secretary General’s focus on Africa at the General Assembly meeting of the organization. He said that the endeavors by the Secretary-General will address issues rife with double standards and a savior mentality that has utterly disenfranchised Africans in their affairs.

Eritrea

Eritrean and UN Agencies on Tuesday (January 25) launched five years Development Cooperation Framework in the sectors of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, industry, health education as well as capacity building. At a ceremony held at the Denden Guest House in which Regional Directors as well as other senior officials of the UN in Africa took part, Dr. Gergis Teklemicael, Minister of Finance and National Development, gave a briefing on the medium and long term of the national development objectives issued in the 1994 National Charter.

Djibouti

The Ethiopian Federal Police and the Djibouti National Police Thursday (January 27) have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements they signed so far on border security, counter-terrorism, capacity building, and information exchange. They also signed an agreement to train police officers at the Ethiopian Police University and the Djibouti Police Academy and collaborate in counseling and information exchange. Institutions reaffirm commitment to the implementation of agreements signed between them so far.

A forum entitled “The Russian – Ethiopia – Djibouti Business Forum” was held here in Moscow on Monday (January 24).  The forum was organized by the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with Africa (AFROCOM) in collaboration with the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a hybrid form – On the platform of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and online. The Forum aimed to raise awareness for the small and medium-sized Russian businesses and give them a clear picture of the investment potentials of Ethiopia and Djibouti as well as to create conducive environment to improve bilateral trade and economic relations.

Somalia

The President of the Federal Government of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmajo) had a phone conversation with the Prince of Qatar H.E Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, on Wednesday (January 26). The President and the Prince discussed the strengthening of the bilateral relations of the two countries and the common interests of the two countries. President Farmajo and Prince Tamim also discussed the latest issues in the country.

The Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble on Wednesday (January 26) met the Speaker of the Upper House, Senator Abdi Hashi, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E Mahdi Mohamed Khadar Gulaid, the Speaker & the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to sort out their differences & work with the Prime Minister in finalizing the election of Members of the Parliament representing Somaliland.

South Sudan

Ethiopian Ambassador Nebil Mahdi on Saturday (January 22) had held talks with South Sudan’s Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin Bil, on current situations in Ethiopia. Ambassador Nebil said the decision of the Ethiopian government to withhold the advance of its troops to Tigray and the release of political figures from prison demonstrates commitments to make peace in Ethiopia. He also spoke on activities to launch an all-inclusive dialogue in Ethiopia that aimed to address core issues at a national level to have lasting peace in the country. The South Sudanese minister expressed his delight to see a peaceful and stable Ethiopia. He underlined that stability in Ethiopia contributes a lot to pacifying the Horn region, reaffirming that nothing would emanate from South Sudan threatening the stability of Ethiopia.

Sudan

President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan lauded the role being played by the native administration to maintain stability and societal peace in the country. Al-Burhan who met, on Tuesday (January 25), at the Republican Palace, the delegation of the native administration in North and West Darfur stressed the necessity for mobilization of official and popular efforts to work out a unified vision to guarantee security and stability in Darfur, referring to the importance of speeding up the implementation of security arrangements. Chairman of the delegation, Hammad Abdulla Jibril said they briefed the TSC President on political and security situations in their states and their full keenness to solve all the issues and challenges.

The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, issued on Sunday (January 23) a decision to renew the ceasefire throughout the country and on all fronts. The decision directed the concerned authorities to put the decision into effect. This decision comes to create an atmosphere of stability and security in the country, and anticipate a new era of peace, tranquility and security.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen welcomes to his office Foreign Minister of Somalia

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,  Demeke Mekonnen received at his office on Thursday (January 26), the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia,   Abdisaid Muse Ali. The two sides discussed ways to further boost their bilateral relations and current situations in Ethiopia. They have discussed, in particular points of cooperation in the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where Ethiopian peacekeeping forces are taking part in.

Discussing current situations in Ethiopia,  Demeke described in detail the peace efforts that the government has been undertaking lately. He mentioned the government’s decision to withhold the advance of its troops from entering Tigray, the release of high political figures from prison, and the proposed all-inclusive dialogue that aimed to discuss and settle age-old questions at a national level.

Although the government is committed to cooperate with humanitarian operators to provide all the necessary aid for the Tigray Region, the TPLF has continued its disregard to the wellbeing of the people in Tigray by launching fresh attacks on Aba’ala, the Afar region, further obstructing the humanitarian process, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also extended his appreciation to the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia for taking the right decision during the  special session on Ethiopia that was initiated by the UN Human Rights body in Geneva.

 Abdisaid Muse Ali, on his part, thanked  Demeke for the thorough briefing on the peace efforts in Ethiopia and pledged to further cement the relationships between the two countries through expanded engagements.

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Ambassador Redwan Hussein urges the International community to hold TPLF accountable for obstructing humanitarian support by harassing adjacent regions

State Minister,   Ambassador Redwan Hussein had a discussion on Friday (January 21) on humanitarian support in Ethiopia with the Regional Director of the World Food Program, Michael John Denford.

On the occasion, Ambassador Redwan reiterated the federal government’s commitment to peace in Ethiopia through its decision to withhold the advance of its troops into the Tigray region.

Despite this, the State Minister said the TPLF continued its aggression against adjacent regions, particularly Aba’ala, in the Afar region, demonstrating its intransigence to escalate the conflict.

Ambassador Redwan said the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the aid flow into the Tigray region by reducing the number of checkpoints, increasing the amount of cash that humanitarian agencies bring to the region, and allowing daily humanitarian flights to Tigray.

He said the government initiatives for peace and commitment to unobstructed flow of humanitarian aid into the Tigray region have failed to be reciprocated by the TPLF and recognized by the International community.

The TPLF’s unceasing harassment of neighboring regions under unwarranted reasons and the pretexts of the shortage of fuel and insecurity to truck drivers coupled with the hijacked humanitarian trucks have continued to hamper the humanitarian operation in the region, he said.

In this regard, as long as the harassment of the Amhara and Afar regions by the TPLF continues, the government of Ethiopia will take measures deemed necessary to protect the wellbeing of innocent lives.

 John Denford, on his part, praised the government’s approach to peace, noting that the TPLF’s attacks on adjacent regions, particularly in Abala were challenging the humanitarian operation.

He said the WFP has plans to provide 700 tons of food aid in Ethiopia, including affected people in the Amhara and Afar regions.

The Regional Director also revealed the organization’s plan to support people affected by the current drought in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

Upon concluding the meeting, Ambassador Redwan underlined that the international community should hold the TPLF accountable for obstructing aid into the Tigray region, disregarding peace efforts, and harassing people in adjacent areas.

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Ministry briefs ambassadors of EU member states on the ongoing investigation of atrocities committed in the conflict in northern Ethiopia

The Ministry of Justice briefed ambassadors of EU member states in Ethiopia on Wednesday (January 26) on the status of the proposed all-inclusive dialogue and the activities of the inter-ministerial task force on atrocities committed in the conflict in the north. 

The Minister of Justice, Dr. Gedion Thimotios, and Dr. Tadesse Kassa, head of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce provided the briefing at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

According to Dr. Tadesse Kassa, the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce is structured into four sub-committees to address critical issues.

He said the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, would head the criminal investigation and prosecution, while the Ministry of Peace would oversee the assessment of refugees and displaced people.

The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance together with relevant government institutions are tasked to investigate crimes related to sexual violence and run fundraising activities for rehabilitation efforts respectively, he added.

The government of Ethiopia set up the Inter-Ministerial taskforce to oversee redress and accountability measures in response to human rights violations committed in the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The Committee will oversee the implementation of recommendations made by the joint UN-EHRC investigations over atrocities in Tigray while expanding similar studies on crimes committed by the TPLF in the Afar and Amhara regions.

Dr. Gedion Thimotios, on his part, spoke in detail about the proposed all-inclusive national dialogue and the opportunity it provides to Ethiopians in looking for lasting solutions to critical issues in the country.

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Ethiopia the ‘Land of Runners’

Last week on Sunday, some 25,000 people clad the streets of Addis Ababa wearing T-shirts in national colors of green, yellow, and red. People from every race, age, and walk of life took part in the Great Ethiopian Run, an annual 10-kilometer race in Ethiopia’s capital. Staff personnel marked the nearly 17,600 competitors who crossed the finish line, and everyone got a medal. Some of the attendees snapped selfies.

The event has grown to become one of the largest road races in Africa, and some call it “the most exciting race on the planet.” However, the Great Ethiopian Run is not just a running event but has served as a tourist attraction to the country and a tool to advance foreign policy goals.

According to the United Nations special agency for tourism, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), “tourism and sports are interrelated and complementary. Sports – as a professional, amateur, or leisure activity – involve a considerable amount of traveling to play and compete in different destinations and countries.

Nowadays, there are an increasing number of visitors who want to participate in sporting activities during their vacations, whether sports are the primary goal of their trip or not. Sporting events of all types and sizes draw tourists as players or spectators, and destinations try to differentiate themselves and create unique local experiences for their guests by adding their own local tastes to them. 

Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy and Tourism Development Policy both emphasize that Ethiopia, as the cradle of humanity and home to diversity within its own distinct natural and manmade wonders, has the potential to annually attract millions of visitors and billions of dollars in foreign currency.

As a result, it would be difficult to think of a single subject that promotes Ethiopia more widely than Athletics. Ethiopia, as the home of some of the world’s best runners, dubbed the “Land of Runners” by many, a country of welcoming and sport-addicted people, and a variety of mass-participation annual running events has every chance to use this potential to get its fair share of income from the globally booming sports tourism sector.

The Great Ethiopian Run successfully undertakes this obligation by providing a platform for travellers to learn more about Ethiopian people, cultures, and lifestyles in general.

Since 2001, the Great Ethiopian Run has reported that every sporting event it has organized has brought millions of dollars into the Ethiopian economy. International visitors who came to Ethiopia primarily to attend the race spent their money on international and domestic flights, hotels, lodgings, and volunteering with charity groups.

Sporting activities are now used for purposes other than attracting tourists. They have become a crucial weapon for advancing foreign policy goals due to their unique ability to bring strangers closer together. They help to build the country’s image and promote public diplomacy. In this regard, what we have witnessed last week in Addis Ababa demonstrated the peaceful mood of the inhabitants, the jubilant tourists who took part in it, and above all, the vibrant and peaceful atmosphere in the city, which was tainted by the media.

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On the interview of Deputy Army Chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces

Deputy Army Chief General Abebaw Tadesse of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) spoke with local media outlets (EBC and FBC) over the week. His discussion covered the timeline, critical incidents, and the whole process of the law enforcement operation and the war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) that has been ongoing since November 2020.

Speaking on the status of the ENDF vis-a-vis TPLF military capability and why the TPLF forces managed to advance as far as Northern Shewa, General Abebaw explained by the time the government declared the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire, the ENDF had only 12 divisions, roughly equivalent to 44,000 troops. On the other hand, he said, the TPLF had prepared over 50 divisions (more than 250,000 fighters), equipped with heavy artilleries, including 30-40 tanks, which created a significant difference between the two sides. In addition to the 250,000 formal fighters, the General claims, hundreds of thousands of civilians came to plunder, provide food and equipment to fighters, assist the injured, and replace the deceased.

After thoroughly analyzing the TPLF’s relative military strength, the defense force then reached a decision on how to conduct the war, he said. The ENDF realized that it has to defend two very strategic territories (Humera border and Mille) with a maximum military capability while also preparing new recruits to counter the massive quantity of the rebel forces. Humera town borders Sudan while Mille continued to be a busy line where imports from the Djibouti port into Ethiopia operate. As the TPLF has used an outdated war technique, the human wave, in which 15 individuals are assigned to one soldier of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, made the war very challenging to control with a limited number of soldiers, military hardware, and management he said. The TPLF forces were overwhelming in number, forcing the ENDF to defend and retreat until the newly trained soldiers were ready to deploy and launch the offensive, he said. While the ENDF was in a defensive mode for months, the TPLF forces were able to get as far as Northern Shewa, despite continuously failing to capture most strategic territories of Mille and the Humera border where the ENDF’s military forces have been most concentrated.

He said, while the TPLF advanced towards the capital, the TPLF’s backers were planning for the post-Abiy period by forming a phony transitional government. They were even ready to mobilize and deploy foreign mercenaries to finish the war once the TPLF reached Northern Shewa.

After four or five months of preparation and defensive posture, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced his decision to lead the ENDF and allied forces at the battlefronts. The offensive in Amhara and Afar decimated and forced TPLF forces to retreat to Tigray in less than two weeks. Given that the conditions on the ground did hardly seem to favor Ethiopian forces, it is nonetheless astonishing that the ENDF and allied forces were able to easily push Tigran forces out of Afar and the Amhara regions.

Although the claims of the TPLF, several major MSM, and TPLF-affiliated political groups downplayed the victory as a TPLF endeavor to “give peace a chance,” it took only a few days before the TPLF launched renewed attacks on the adjacent Afar and Amhara regions. Nonetheless, Ethiopia’s stunning triumph revealed that “Ethiopia has rebuilt a defense force that is capable and stronger to confront any force than it was in the past two or three decades under the TPLF-led EPRDF leadership!” the General said.

Many expected the ENDF to advance to Tigray following the stunning victory against the TPLF forces. However, the direction was to keep the recaptured territories and not to enter Tigray. This was a surprise to many Ethiopians and the international community as well. The General said the decision to withhold the advance of troops would not rule out the capability of the Defense Force to enter the Tigray region whenever needed. Despite the hype and selective bias in the media, he wanted to convey a simple and clear message: Tigray is part of Ethiopia, and it is Ethiopia’s prerogative to enforce the rule of law in every corner under its territorial jurisdiction.

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On WHO obstructing Ethiopia’s delivery of a statement on misconduct of Tedros Adhanom (Statement)

Ethiopia regrets that it was not allowed to deliver a statement on the 24th of January 2022 at the 150 session of the Executive Board of the WHO. Such mistreatment against a member country is unacceptable.

Dr. Tedros hails from Ethiopia. Ethiopia nominated him for the post of Director General of the WHO. It mobilised Africans and other friendly countries to support him. As soon as the conflict was triggered by the TPIF, he showed his true colours. He chose his political affiliation to TPLF over his country. In the process, he betrayed his oath of office as a Director General of the WHO. He abused his office and the International nature of the Director General to advance TPlf’s propaganda. In the process, he committed a flagrant misconduct on a routine basis. He violated the standard of conduct for International civil service and WHO’s Code of Ethics.

He should have led by example. Instead, his interference in a member state of the WHO advocating for a party to a conflict constitutes a blatant misconduct.

Ethiopia has submitted a formal complaint to the Executive Board of the WHO and is still awaiting the acknowledgement of the receipt of its complaint. In fact, on the first day of the Executive Board meeting Ethiopia was denied to explain this worrying situation.

One thing should be clear. Ethiopia’s complaint does not refer to the work of WHO nor to the performance of the staff. It is directed to the misconduct of the Director General of WHO and the Director General of WHO and the desecration of his professional and legal responsibility.

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Updates on medical and other essential supplies to the Tigray region

At the declaration of the Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire

o The Ministry of Health (MOH) had kept a stock of medicines and pharmaceutical supplies worth more than half a billion (618,378,674.64) Birr at Mekelle and Shire hubs when the government declared a Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire. The figure includes the delivery by the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency in June 2021. The stock was estimated to cover needs for six months (from June-December 2021).

Since July 2021, through access facilitated by the Government of Ethiopia,

o 658 Metric tons of Medicines and Medical supplies were delivered by 18 trucks through 7 organizations: UNFPA, WHO, MSF, IOM, UNICEF, FH, and CST.

o The Ethiopian Red Cross has supplied 3,565 kg of emergency drugs through the EU-HUB flight, while UNICEF provided 42 health emergency kits of different types of medicines and medical supplies through EU donation.

o Through the donation of the EU, 320 cartons of RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) for children and 350 Cartons of Plumpy Nut were distributed by UNICEF for malnourished children and pregnant and lactating mothers. In addition, 5,766 metric tons of high-quality diet supplementary foods and 37,976 metric tons of foods were made available to vulnerable groups.

o Last month, the MOH provided nearly 850,000 measles vaccines and is being delivered to children through a campaign by UNICEF and WHO.

o Partners have distributed 2,120 metric tons of water treatment chemicals and Sanitation materials, 1,880 personal protective equipment, and dignity kits.

o In total, in the last six months (July to December 2021), partners supported around 1.48 Billion Birr worth of Nutrition supplies and about 128 million Birr worth of medical supplies to Tigray.

Current measures

Understanding the high medical needs in the region, the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) has continued making efforts to ensure access to aid in collaboration with its partners. However, those approved to deliver medicines and supplies since last month ould not pass Abala due to the TPLF renewed aggression.

Taking needs and challenges into account, the GOE has decided to facilitate additional flights to augment the land transportation of medical aid and other food and essential supplies. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOH, and the National Disaster Risk Management Commission are working with ICRC and other UN partners to facilitate daily cargo flights to transport much-needed medicines and supplies. The MOH is also working on using such flights to deliver vital medications and supplies that are not in the possession of partners.

It is to be recalled that the GOE has also provided a blanket amnesty to truck drivers and created a buffer area to be run by the UN humanitarian agencies.

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