Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 55
55
Rejected
Since the Government of Ethiopia declared the end of military operations on 28 November 2020...
Conclusion
Since the Government of Ethiopia declared the end of military operations on 28 November 2020 some services—like telecommunications, electricity, and airspace—have 119 OCHA, Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update: Situation Report, 13 March 2021, p.2 120 CARE, 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 27 121 Q29 [Dr Rogg] 122 Q17 [Paul Turnbull] 123 UNICEF, Ethiopia Country Office Humanitarian Situation Report January – December 2020, 31 December 2021 124 UNICEF, Continuing crisis for children in Tigray Ethiopia amid reports of atrocities Ethiopia, Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, 19 March 2021 125 OCHA, Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update: Situation Report, 13 March 2021, p.6 126 OCHA, Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update: Situation Report, 30 March 2021, p.2 127 UNICEF, Continuing crisis for children in Tigray, Ethiopia, amid reports of atrocities: Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, 19 March 2021 128 OCHA, Ethiopia – Tigray Region Humanitarian Update: Situation Report, 8 March 2021, p.6 129 International Medical Corps, Ethiopia–Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report #6, 18 March 2021, p.1 130 UNHCR, Remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at the press conference in Addis Ababa., 1 February 2021 131 OCHA, Humanitarian Needs Overview Ethiopia, February 2021, p.17 The humanitarian situation in Tigray 23 gradually restarted. In Mekelle, electricity and telephone services have been partially restored. This has allowed banks to reopen, although with long queues and restrictions on withdrawals.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government explicitly rejects the committee's assessment that services have gradually restarted, highlighting persistent issues with importing communications equipment, travel approvals, and denial of humanitarian access.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
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.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗