The conflict that took place in the northern part of the country for close to two years has caused many-sided social and economic costs and left many in desperate need of assistance. Millions of people forced to leave their living places and sheltering in adjacent areas which compelled them to seek humanitarian assistances.
In actual fact, following the challenge, the federal government has been engaged in reaching and delivering humanitarian assistance to the people residing in Tigray State and the adjacent areas joining hands with partners and international relief organizations, charity organizations and the people to provide humanitarian assistance. As a result, though there were a number of challenges, the government has been trying to access humanitarian relief both food and nonfood items to the people who are in dire need of assistance. Currently, it is striving to deliver relief items to the needy.
Mainly following the Pretoria agreement signed between the federal government and TPLF, the support has been executed in a more organized manner than before.
Recently, the Disaster Risk Management Commission of the Interim Administration of Tigray State stated that the federal government is providing the necessary support to those in need of urgent humanitarian aid in the State through the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC).
According to the Commission’s Preparedness and Emergency Response Director Gebre Egziabher Aregawi told EPA that mentioning data, currently there are more than two million displaced persons and more than 6.5 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in Tigray. They have not received any humanitarian assistance for more than five and six months.
Expressing his gratitude to the Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission for its relentless efforts, the Director said that recently a total of 31,780 quintals of food items and edible oil has been transported to the State. According to him, the food items included 18,780 quintals of rice, 9,845.4 quintals of nutritious food, and 2,945.4 liters of edible oil. However, the assistance compared to the magnitude and the seriousness of the problem, is insufficient.
“Even if we try to deliver the items to the beneficiaries in Mekelle, they are not enough because the number of people who are in dire need of the relief items exceeds the amount of the available food items. For instance, there are more than 200,000 displaced people in Mekelle. If we try to deliver the relief items in a regular monthly timetable, the quantities
of relief items will be only for 122,000 people,” he explained.
Referring to information received from various areas, he said more than 1,311 people have died of hunger and many more people are suffering from shortage of food and medicines. The international organizations, understanding the seriousness of the problem, should resume the aid they terminated, he said.
He also urged, media institutions, especially the government media, to explain the problem to the international community and find solutions instead of spreading unfounded and exaggerated information that misleads the international community, he said.
It is recalled that the federal government in its eight centers including the one located in Adama established to make the support more accessible, has started transporting food and non-food items for those people who need urgent assistance in various areas including the Tigray State.
Meanwhile, Afar State Chief Administrator, Awol Arba urged institutions to strengthen activities that they have already started in rehabilitating war torn areas through volunteering programs.
The Chief Administrator stated this at the time senior officials of the Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD); and Affiliated Institutions handed over the
10 houses that were destroyed by the war and reconstructed by the Ministry and its associated institutions in Kasagita Town, Afar State.
Stating the incalculable benefits of volunteerism in terms of lessening society’s socioeconomic burden, and the role institutions can play in supporting citizens he said that the work done jointly by the Ministry of Planning and Development and the affiliated institutions is a model.
The town of Kasagita is one of the areas heavily damaged by the war. Due to the war, its residents are exposed to serious problems. The voluntary act that was carried out by the Ministry of Planning and Development and associated institutions is worth appreciation in this regard. They have done exemplary work by renovating the town and handing over the houses.
“The construction of the houses by the Ministry of Planning and Development is more than a mere house. It is also a living monument that has shown solidarity and togetherness to the people of Afar.”
In his message, Awol has called on other institutions to follow the footsteps of the Ministry of Planning and Development; and leave their fingerprint in the efforts exerted to renovate war affected areas.
The role of institutions in supporting citizens who are in trouble is important. The joint work done by the Ministry of Planning and Development and affiliated institutions is a true manifestation in this regard, he repeated.
Speaking on her part, State Minister of Planning and Development Tirumar Abate said that Kasagita is one of the areas that suffered the most during the war; for this reason residents of the town need further support and the town should be re-established in a sustainable manner.
Thus, all Ethiopians should take part in rehabilitating Kasagita Town and leave their mark, she urged.
Ethiopian Statistical Service Director General, Beker Shale (PhD) on his part said that reconstruction of war-torn areas requires the cooperation of all citizens.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 2023
