The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) calls for resumption of humanitarian food support in Tigray Region.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have decided to suspend the humanitarian food aid they have been providing to the Tigray region owing to the diversion of shipments to illicit sales in local markets rather than reaching the people in need.
The ECSOC stated in its statement that, it understands WFP and USAID’s decisions and finds the temporary pause of such support to be sensible. The Council has also established the facts from different sources about the commission of the above-mentioned illicit acts.
However, considering the dire humanitarian situation of the people in need in Tigray, the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council would like to state that as a matter of principle and in the context where millions of people need urgent food support, the continued suspension of the food aid would do more damage than good, said in its statement.
The Council recommends that, the issue of investigation and accountability for any wrongdoing can be undertaken simultaneously and without suspending the delivery of urgent food aid.
On the other hand, the Council would like to call on the Ethiopian Federal Government and the Tigray Interim Administration to responsibly investigate the matter and ensure that an accountability mechanism is put in place and proper measures are taken against the perpetrators of the aforementioned illegal acts.
Finally, the Council would like to reiterate that it will do its part and stand ready to support efforts being made to resume food and other humanitarian support for the people in need in the Tigray region.
Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) is established under the CSO proclamation to coordinate and represent civil society organizations in the country. The Council strives to ensure that the civil society sector is well represented and coordinated on matters of national significance.
