Humanitarian aid will start reaching people who are experiencing hunger and disease in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray by the end of the week, stated Redwan Hussien, the national security adviser to the country's prime minister.
Following a ceasefire deal “aid would flow unhindered” as it was agreed during the peace talks, he said as quoted by the US State Department. Moreover, the "restoration of services, protection of civilians and human rights accountability" is expected.
Millions of civilians in Tigray suffered extensively from the conflict that started in November 2020, and are now desperately in need for food, medicine and other basic supplies. The conflict created a situation where humanitarian aid into affected regions was extremely difficult to deliver, forcing humanitarian partners to either considerably reduce their operations or stop them.
In total, according to the UN estimates, approximately six million residents have been affected by the situation.
Recently, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, blasted the aid blockade amid ceasefire and called for immediate restoration of basic supplies with accordance to the deal. He also condemned the developed countries for not paying the crisis "the attention it deserves".
The agreement to cease hostilities in Nothern Ethiopia between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF was reached on 2 November, 2022. The final round of talks between representatives of the parties is expected to end this week in Nairobi, Kenya.