Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 55
55
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
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We do not share this assessment. There remain pressing issues regarding the importation of communications equipment and travel approvals, for example, that Mr Beasley’s visit did not address. Whilst there have been some, more recent, small improvements in access to telecommunications equipment by UN agencies, NGOs still have very little access. Weapons bearers also continue to routinely deny access to humanitarian agencies and loot humanitarian aid that has been delivered. There remains a need to continue to press the Government of Ethiopia, the Government of Eritrea, TPLF and other forces controlling territory to ensure widespread and sustained access for humanitarian actors in the region. We also continue to call for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces.