Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 51
51
The multiagency rapid needs assessment published in January 2021 noted there were no health services...
Conclusion
The multiagency rapid needs assessment published in January 2021 noted there were no health services in the areas of Southern Tigray affected by the conflict, meaning that regular health service activities such as Maternal and Child Health, treatment of endemic diseases, and the supply of essential drugs for chronic illnesses had stopped.117 Many health facilities have few or no remaining staff. Some have fled in fear having been threatened by soldiers and militias; while others no longer come to work because they have not been paid in months.118 Furthermore, ongoing looting of health facilities 115 Médecins Sans Frontières, People left with few healthcare options in Tigray as facilities looted destroyed, 15 March 2021 116 Médecins Sans Frontières, People left with few healthcare options in Tigray as facilities looted destroyed, 15 March 2021 117 CARE, Oxfam, ActionAid, Multiagency and Multisectoral Rapid Need Assessment in Raya Kobo, Raya Alamata, Raya Azebo, Chercher, Wajirat and Ofla Woredas of North Wollo and South Tigray Zones, 30 January 2021, page 26 118 Médecins Sans Frontières, People left with few healthcare options in Tigray as facilities looted destroyed, 15 March 2021 22 The humanitarian situation in Tigray discourages aid organisations from providing medical supplies.119 Women with no access to reproductive health services are concerned that they are at risk of getting pregnant and having additional children to care for because of lack of family planning services. CARE International found there was no pre- and post-natal treatment for the pregnant women or access to reproductive health services. Some women were reported to have given birth in the bush, others at home without professional support. Women who were raped or attacked have no access to trauma and rape services.120
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The UK will work through the multilateral system, in partnership with other donors, to address the restoration of basic services drawing on experience from other crises. At present the level of insecurity means that basic services, in certain locations, cannot be resumed. Our partners on the ground report repeated looting and targeting of restocked health centres, for example, meaning the violence must stop before services can be fully re- started. We continue to support the humanitarian response to provide access to essential services and assistance for the population of Tigray where access is possible. We remain extremely concerned about the food security situation in Tigray and have raised this with Ethiopian authorities. We are providing support to improve access for key humanitarian partners to vulnerable populations.