According to an aid memo seen by The Associated Press, only a small fraction of needy people in Ethiopia's Tigray region are receiving food assistance, more than a month after aid agencies resumed deliveries of grain. The memo, issued by the Tigray Food Cluster, reveals that just 14% of the 3.2 million people targeted for food aid in the region had received it by January 21. This alarming situation has prompted calls for immediate action to avoid severe food insecurity and malnutrition during the upcoming lean season, potentially endangering vulnerable children and women in the region.
The delivery of food aid to Tigray was suspended in March 2021, after it was discovered that a large-scale scheme had diverted humanitarian grain for illicit purposes. The suspension was eventually expanded to the entire country in June. The magnitude of the theft, which U.S. officials believe is one of the biggest ever, prompted accusations against Ethiopian government officials and the military. However, the Ethiopian government has dismissed such allegations as harmful propaganda.
In an effort to combat theft and ensure efficient distribution, GPS trackers were fitted to food trucks, and ration cards with QR codes were introduced as part of a revamped system for delivering aid. Unfortunately, technical issues and a lack of funds have caused delays in the implementation of these measures. Consequently, some people in Tigray have reportedly been deprived of food aid for over a year, despite undergoing multiple rounds of registration and verification.
Amidst these challenges, Tigray continues to grapple with the aftermath of a devastating two-year civil war that claimed countless lives and spilled over into neighboring regions. During the conflict, the United Nations accused the Ethiopian government of using 'starvation as a method of warfare' by restricting food aid to Tigray. The war came to an end in November 2022 with a peace agreement, but the impact on food security has been long-lasting.
Although Tigray faces acute food shortages, the crisis extends beyond the region. Approximately 20.1 million people across Ethiopia require humanitarian food assistance due to factors such as drought, conflict, and a struggling economy. The suspension of aid in Tigray has exacerbated hunger levels, and the situation is expected to worsen. The U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System has predicted 'crisis levels of hunger or worse' in various parts of Ethiopia, including the north, south, and southeast, at least until early 2024. This bleak outlook has led to concerns that the country is marching towards starvation.
Several regions in Ethiopia have been severely affected by drought, impeding the distribution of aid. In the neighboring Amhara region, a rebellion since August has further complicated humanitarian efforts. Malnutrition rates among children in parts of Afar, Amhara, and Oromia regions are alarmingly high, with figures ranging between 15.9% and 47%. Displaced children in Tigray face a malnutrition rate of 26.5%. These dire circumstances indicate the urgent need for expanded assistance.
In addition to the challenges posed by theft, conflict, and drought, persistent insecurity in Tigray has resulted in a significant reduction in agricultural activities. A recent assessment conducted by U.N. agencies, NGOs, and regional authorities revealed that only 49% of farmland in Tigray was planted during the primary planting season in 2022. Furthermore, crop production in these areas amounted to just 37% of the expected total due to drought, with some areas experiencing figures as low as 2%.
The poor harvest has led Tigray's authorities to sound the alarm about an impending famine that could rival the devastating crisis of 1984-1985, during which hundreds of thousands of people in northern Ethiopia lost their lives. However, the federal government of Ethiopia denies the existence of a widespread hunger crisis. When Tigray's leader, Getachew Reda, expressed concerns about the prospect of mass starvation deaths, a government spokesperson dismissed the reports as inaccurate and accused Reda of politicizing the situation.
In the face of mounting challenges, it is imperative for humanitarian organizations and governments to come together to address the urgent food insecurity and malnutrition crisis in Tigray and other affected regions of Ethiopia. Swift action is needed to ensure that adequate food aid reaches those in need, averting a catastrophic human tragedy.
