BY TEWODROS KASSA
The Ethiopian government has been taking various measures to deliver unfettered humanitarian supports to the Tigray people during the war time. The recent peace agreement made between the government and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) has enhanced the humanitarian support flow to the Tigray state.
Recently, the government announced that emergency food assistance is under distribution in conflict-affected woreda of Raya Bala and others. The communities of Raya Bala Woreda are one of the conflict-affected areas in northern Ethiopia, have been receiving food supplies as part of the humanitarian assistance being delivered to the areas.
Accordingly, over 5,000 victims in Raya Bala Woreda have received humanitarian assistance, according to local media report, following the humanitarian aid distribution; the communities have expressed their happiness for being beneficiaries of the first Ethiopian government aid delivery.
Raya Bala Woreda Agricultural Bureau Head, Teka Tebeje said that about 6,800 quintals have reached the warehouse and were being distributed to displaced persons in the Woreda. However, he stated the place was one of the major areas of the conflict which resulted in tremendous human sufferings, damage to properties, and infrastructural destruction.
Among the recipients of the assistance, Lemlem Equarkiros, said: “I was displaced and stayed at the Jara Refugee Camp for about a year. You will be surprised to learn that we lost everything. We were beaten and compelled to leave our home on foot. We had no food or drink here. Thanks God; we have now returned to our hometown,”
Now, good things are happening, she stated, adding that her parents and family are receiving relief aid.
The 50-year old recipient, Hafete Wasihun who returned from Jara Refugee Camp also thanked the government for its efforts to assist the vulnerable population, following the two year-long war in the area.
“We have returned to our township in peace and are getting humanitarian supplies. Currently, things are getting back to normalcy and our freedom is respected. We thank the government for this because.”
Moreover, it was indicated that so many trucks loaded with humanitarian aid are heading to areas affected by the war.
Wubishet Demise, the truck driver who transported the relief aid to the Woreda on his part said that there is an enabling environment to deliver humanitarian assistance effectively and on time.
“I came from Adama Town. I drove for two days to reach to the destination. I have brought 400 quintals of aid items. I have observed that there is now an enabling environment to transport humanitarian aid for the needy.”
Following the signing of the peace agreement between the Ethiopian Government and TPLF, the government has opened both air and road transport to supply aid to Tigray, Amhara, and Afar states that have been affected by the war.
More importantly, the Government of Ethiopia is working committedly to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict affected areas in the northern part of the country.
Government Communication Service State Minister, Selamawit Kassa told journalists that after the peace agreement between the government and TPLF, over 43,200 quintals of aid items have been distributed to people in Raya Bala, Alamata, and Korem.
“More than 43,200 quintals of wheat and over 7,300 quintals of nutritious food were distributed to people in the stated areas. Some 287,000 people have benefitted from this distribution of the relief items. The work of delivering humanitarian services to those most urgently needy people will be strengthened in coordination with non-governmental organizations and partners,” she added.
Concurrent to the food and non-food items, the supply of basic medicines and essential drugs is given due priority by the government. The Ministry of Health announced that efforts to deliver medical supplies in Tigray State have been strengthened in partnership with international organizations. Providing essential medical drugs is fundamental to lessen the health challenges of the society in the war-affected areas.
Accordingly, in the first round, the Ministry together with the National Disaster Risk Management Commission has delivered more than 6 million Birr worth life-saving drugs and medical supplies to Shire Branch discharging from the warehouses of the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service Agency.
In the second round, more than 1 million Birr worth medicines and medical inputs were sent to Shire Hospital and other nine health centres in the area with an intention to solve the community demand.
In addition, it was pointed out that the Ministry of Health together with the National Disaster Risk Management Commission is transporting medical drugs and supplies that worth more than 1.7 million Birr for the third time.
Not only that, but at the beginning of this week, two heavy vehicles loaded with 33.9 metric tons of basic medical supplies, emergency medicine and surgical instruments arrived in Mekele through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Information from the Ministry of Health indicated that other international organizations and the
Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service Agency is also ready to send more assistance to the State. It has been pointed out health professionals and employees drawn from various departments have gone to the place to reorganize health facilities and let them recommence health care services.
Meanwhile, youths from the Harari State expressed their willingness to provide the required support in the efforts exerted to rehabilitate and reconstruct areas affected by the war.
Recently, a youth consultation forum was held in Harar City with the theme “Active participation of youth for building national peace.”
The participants of the forum told local media that they are ready to support the efforts to rebuild war-affected areas in the northern part of the country with their knowledge, energy and money.
The youth vowed to play their part to make the peace agreement signed between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF successful. A resident of Chelenko Town in East Hararge Zone, youth Netsanet Dejenu said that the peace agreement reached between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF shows the commitment of Ethiopians to peace.
“The agreement will create favourable environment to ensure sustainable peace and development, so we are ready to support the endeavours in every possible ways with our knowledge, money and energy. I am very happy with the peace agreement reached between the government and the TPLF,” she said.
On his part, Haramaya Town resident youth Dawit Shewangzaw said that he is happy with the success of the peace agreement and he is ready to support the reconstruction work undertaken the war-affected areas.
The Ethiopian Herald November 19/2022
