• Unfettered access to Tigray no more concern
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
ADDIS ABABA- The Ethiopian government’s steps to bring humanitarian aid to the Tigray State and rebuild the destroyed infrastructure manifested the fact that it is walking the talk of the peace agreement, the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) said.
Speaking to local media, NDRMC Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam (PhD) noted that the aid is flowing to Tigray in an unfettered way and the issue of ensuring unfettered access is no more a concern. The Ethiopian government and international aid organizations have intensified the transportation of humanitarian aid including food, medicine and others to the needy people of Tigray.
The commissioner further highlighted that six trucks of the International Committee of the Red Cross loaded with food and additional medical supplies have arrived in Mekelle. Also, 67 vehicles which are carrying humanitarian aid including food, medicine and fuel are entered in Tigray.
Humanitarian aid is being sent without limits in Tigray and after the agreement, the humanitarian aid from the Ethiopian government as well as aid agencies is being transported by four inland routes and permitted air flights, Shiferaw remarked.
By the same token, the UNHCR announced that its convoys have arrived in Mekelle since August carrying life-saving humanitarian aid including medicines and shelter kits to treat the sick and repair destroyed homes. “More is on the way as the commission scales up delivery of protection and solutions in Northern Ethiopia.”
Also, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society announced that they have distributed emergency medical supplies to nine health care facilities in and around Mekelle.
It was learned that the first delivery of UNICEF humanitarian aid arrived in Tigray and the European Union (EU), through its partnership with UNICEF, has granted 31.5 million Euros to restore and strengthen health services and systems to improve the lives of women and children living in conflict-impacted areas.
The Ethiopian Herald November 25/2022
