Ethiopia: UN announces USD 40 million in aid relief for victims 'living on a knife-edge'

As the humanitarian crisis grows in Ethiopia's conflict-affected north, the UN announced on Monday that USD 40 million in funds have been made available to scale up emergency operations.

The UN's top emergency relief official, Martin Griffiths, said that millions of people in northern Ethiopia are now "living on a knife-edge, as the humanitarian crisis is growing deeper and wider".

After returning from visiting Ethiopia, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator said that needs are rising across the country, and that the funds would help aid organizations reach some of the most vulnerable.

The situation has spiraled since November 2020, when central government troops clashed with forces loyal to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

And neighbouring regions Amhara and Afar have also been swept up in the deadly violence and terrible rights abuses

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocation will also support relief agencies providing protection and other life-saving assistance to people affected there as well.

"Women, boys and girls continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, yet their protection needs remain underfunded", Griffiths warned, his comments coming after the UN humanitarian aid office, OCHA, said that 364 aid trucks have been waiting for authorization to access Tigray since 18 October.

According to OCHA's latest update, the situation in northern Ethiopia remains highly unpredictable with civilians severely impacted and a broad state of emergency declared nationwide.

"It is estimated that 80 per cent of essential medication is no longer available in Tigray while most health facilities are not functional due to damage and lack of supplies," OCHA explained.

Only 19 of the 59 mobile health and nutrition teams operating at the end of August are still providing services, owing to a lack of supplies and fuel, the UN humanitarian Office said.

( With inputs from ANI )

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