"The top U.S. priority in the region is the delivery of humanitarian aid to Tigray”-U.S. Special Envoy David Satterfield
Posted: 24 Mar 2022, 09:03
U.S. focused on delivery of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia's Tigray
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield told Reuters on Wednesday the top U.S. priority in the region is the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia’s conflict-ravaged Tigray region, where millions are dependent on it.
“Our efforts are focused squarely on effecting the initiation and sustainment of vital humanitarian assistance to Tigray, as well as maintaining and enhancing our assistance to all other communities in need,” Satterfield said in his first interview since taking the job in January.
“There can be no higher priority. ... What we do, what we say - all is focused upon achieving and maintaining that goal.”
Satterfield noted that in the last week, attempts to move assistance to affected communities in Ethiopia’s Afar region, which neighbors Tigray, were blocked by “local elements out of the deep resentment, distrust of intentions on the part of everyone.”
A United Nations convoy of food headed towards the town of Berhale and other border areas in Afar this week was stoned, the drivers were beaten and the food looted in an area under government control, three humanitarian workers told Reuters.
“A convoy carrying food for displaced people in the Afar region was stopped by local communities in Afar over the weekend,” said a spokeswoman for the U.N.’s World Food Programme.
“The convoy returned safely to Semera. WFP continues to work with federal and regional authorities as well as local communities to ensure our convoys with food assistance reach all those in need across Northern Ethiopia.”
Continue reading https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethi ... SKCN2LK1ZL
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield told Reuters on Wednesday the top U.S. priority in the region is the delivery of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia’s conflict-ravaged Tigray region, where millions are dependent on it.
“Our efforts are focused squarely on effecting the initiation and sustainment of vital humanitarian assistance to Tigray, as well as maintaining and enhancing our assistance to all other communities in need,” Satterfield said in his first interview since taking the job in January.
“There can be no higher priority. ... What we do, what we say - all is focused upon achieving and maintaining that goal.”
Satterfield noted that in the last week, attempts to move assistance to affected communities in Ethiopia’s Afar region, which neighbors Tigray, were blocked by “local elements out of the deep resentment, distrust of intentions on the part of everyone.”
A United Nations convoy of food headed towards the town of Berhale and other border areas in Afar this week was stoned, the drivers were beaten and the food looted in an area under government control, three humanitarian workers told Reuters.
“A convoy carrying food for displaced people in the Afar region was stopped by local communities in Afar over the weekend,” said a spokeswoman for the U.N.’s World Food Programme.
“The convoy returned safely to Semera. WFP continues to work with federal and regional authorities as well as local communities to ensure our convoys with food assistance reach all those in need across Northern Ethiopia.”
Continue reading https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethi ... SKCN2LK1ZL
