The ongoing conflict between the Tigray and Amhara regions has resulted in the displacement of approximately 29 thousand individuals, according to a report released by the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
The displaced population hails from the Raya and Alameta areas, where recent clashes along the border have forced residents to flee their homes.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission’s report highlights the dire situation faced by those affected by the conflict.
Many displaced individuals have sought refuge in shelters located in Kobo, North Wolo districts, and Sekota town.
The organization emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid, including water, food, and other essential supplies, to support the displaced population.
However, the report also notes that resources from donor institutions and countries are dwindling, placing additional strain on local communities as they endeavor to provide support to those in need.
In response to the crisis, the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission has deployed staff to the affected areas.
Their mandate includes ensuring that evacuees receive adequate shelter, medical services, and other essential support.
The displacement of individuals from Raya and Alamata areas occurred following the incursion of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) militants into the region approximately a week ago.
Alarmingly, it is reported that 70 percent of the displaced population comprises children and women, underscoring the vulnerability of these demographics in conflict situations.
Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, there have been efforts to restore normalcy.
Transport services between Kobo and Alamata, previously suspended due to security concerns, have been reinstated, facilitating the movement of goods and people in the region.
The war in northern Ethiopia erupted following an attack on the northern command of the national defense forces in the Tigray region by TPLF militants in November 2020.
Although a ceasefire agreement brokered by the African Union in Pretoria, South Africa, brought an end to the two-year-long conflict, its full implementation has remained elusive.
Recent clashes in the Raya area, where both Tigray and Amhara regions lay claim, have reignited tensions.
Residents fled their homes amidst fears for their safety following the arrival of TPLF militants in the area.
In response to the escalating situation, the government of the Amhara region has accused the TPLF of launching a fourth invasion.
However, the President of the Tigray Region Interim Administration, Mr. Getachew Reda, has emphasized that the responsibility for the events unfolding in South Tigray lies with the federal government and the Tigray Interim Administration.
He asserts that the conflict is not merely a territorial dispute between the TPLF and the Tigray and Amhara regions but a broader issue requiring coordinated action at various levels of governance.
