ADDIS ABABA- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Demeke Mekonnen said that the federal government has reached 4.5 million and 2.9 million people in humanitarian support in Tigray State, adding that the third- round is well underway.
The Foreign Minister’s remark came yesterday while conferring with United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs Nick Dyer on the current situation in Tigray. Demeke briefed the special envoy on the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the state, including humanitarian support and other efforts to bring normalcy in the area.
According to him, two rounds of humanitarian support has been successfully delivered by the federal government; adding that the third-round is in the progress. The Deputy Premier reiterated government’s commitment to support internally displaced people to return home and ensure unfettered access to humanitarian organizations in Tigray.
Regarding reports on the alleged atrocities in Tigray, Demeke noted that various groups including UN, AU and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission have shown encouraging initiatives to study the matter. The Attorney General is undertaking investigation about the alleged crimes and atrocities in the state.
Consolidated efforts are underway to bring people and situations in Tigray to normalcy and consecutive dialogues have been carried out opposition parties, civil societies, elders, and various societal associations to this end. The two sides underscored the need to further cement the longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and United Kingdom, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
The Ethiopian Herald May 26/2021
