The looming threat of a humanitarian catastrophe in northern Ethiopia has prompted urgent calls for international intervention. UK Africa Minister, Andrew Mitchell, recently returned from a two-day trip to the region, emphasizing the critical need for immediate action to address the food crisis exacerbated by El-Niño driven drought and ongoing conflict. Mitchell warns of the potential for a devastating famine, urging the international community to act swiftly to prevent further suffering.
Current Situation in Ethiopia:
Ethiopia is grappling with the devastating impacts of a prolonged El-Niño driven drought and brutal conflict, including the two-year war in the northern Tigray region that concluded in November 2022. Mitchell, who met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his visit, highlights the interconnected challenges of war, climate change, and their crippling effects on crop production, leading to widespread hunger and displacement across northern Ethiopia.
Humanitarian Crisis Statistics:
Mitchell was informed during his trip that 1 million people have been displaced, with 3 million now facing critical food security and hunger. International donors are mobilizing efforts to respond to the needs of an estimated 6.6 million people, as projected by the United Nations. Alarming predictions indicate that the number of critically food insecure individuals could surge to 10.8 million during the lean season from July to September.
UN’s Assessment and Global Concerns:
The United Nations has raised concerns about escalating malnutrition rates in various regions of Ethiopia, surpassing globally recognized crisis thresholds. While famine-like conditions have not yet been declared, the situation remains dire. Mitchell emphasizes that global attention must not be solely focused on well-known crises, such as Gaza, and calls for urgent action to address the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Ethiopia.
UK’s Aid Initiatives:
The United Kingdom, acknowledging Ethiopia as a priority country, is gradually restoring cuts to its aid program. Mitchell announced a £100 million fund aimed at ending preventable deaths, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children under five, pregnant women, and postnatal women. The program aims to assist over 3 million Ethiopians through a network of 75 health centers, addressing issues such as malnutrition, malaria, and cholera by enhancing access to family planning support, medicines, and childhood vaccinations.
Maternal Mortality and Preventable Deaths:
Ethiopia grapples with the fourth-highest level of maternal mortality globally, with 10,000 mothers succumbing to pregnancy and childbirth-related causes each year. Mitchell stresses the importance of addressing preventable deaths by providing essential support before, during, and after pregnancy, including access to medicines, nutrition supplements, clean water, and sanitation in health centers.
Root Causes of the Crisis:
The ongoing conflict in Tigray, exacerbated by climate change and El Niño, has triggered local exoduses, with 400,000 people displaced in the Somali region of Ethiopia in November alone. The destruction of vital infrastructure and widespread displacement have created a destructive spiral of hunger and need. Mitchell underscores the vulnerability of women and children, who are disproportionately affected by these crises.
International Cooperation and Urgency:
Mitchell’s visit serves as a wake-up call to the world, emphasizing the critical nature of food shortages and the urgent need for international cooperation. With memories of past famines in the region, he calls on the international community to join forces with the Ethiopian government and partners to halt and reverse the crisis. Urgent action is essential to prevent a major catastrophe in the near future.
President of Tigray’s Plea:
Getachew Reda, the president of the interim authority in Tigray, highlights the severity of the situation, stating that 91% of the population in the semi-arid region is exposed to the risk of starvation and death. He calls on the federal government in Addis Ababa to provide assistance, emphasizing the need for a coordinated effort to address the pressing challenges faced by the people of Tigray.