Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Adigrat (Agenzia Fides) - The Eritrean army controls the cities of Adoua, Shire and Adigrat, as well as the streets and suburbs of Mekele. The news, denied by both the Eritrean and Ethiopian authorities, is however confirmed by numerous testimonies from local sources, by the personnel of humanitarian organizations, military and government authorities.
In Tigray, northern region of Ethiopia in conflict since last November 2020 (see Fides, 6/11/2020), the food shortage has become a danger, as the Bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, Mgr. Tesfaselassie Medhin has already denounced. (see Fides, 15/1/2021 and 14/12/2020).
Cases of malnutrition are also increasing among children under the age of 5. Many women, forced to give birth at home without any assistance, are unable to breastfeed their newborns they do not eat enough.
The situation is worsened by the blockade of transport which makes 80% of the region inaccessible to humanitarian aid, but also by the increase in the price of foodstuffs and by the drastic reduction in the number of vaccinations.
Currently, some 4 million people are deprived of access to healthcare.
The Church in Ethiopia, through the national Caritas, immediately activated a coordination network in order to monitor the crisis and guarantee an adequate humanitarian response, involving the diocesan offices, the international members of the Caritas network already present in the area and other realities including Doctors with Africa CUAMM, which assists over one million people in the region. Through Caritas Italy, the Presidency of the Italian bishops has allocated 500 thousand euros for the Tigrayan population from eight per thousand funds, in order to guarantee food and water, basic necessities, health and school kits as well as for the support of health structures in the region both through restructuring interventions and the supply of drugs, medical devices and materials. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 3/3/2021)
