The World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended distribution of food aid in two Northern Ethiopian towns after gunmen looted its warehouses. Looters from Rebel Tigrayan forces held Aid Staff at gunpoint in the town of Kombolcha, and stole large quantities of essential food supplies – including some for malnourished children.
Northern Ethiopia is facing mass starvation as a result of an ongoing civil war between Tigrayan and Government forces. After more than a year of fighting, over nine million people are in need of critical food supplies.
A Spokesman for the UN, which runs the WFP, said its staff faced “extreme intimidation” during days of looting.
He added that such harassment of humanitarian staff by armed forces is unacceptable as it undermines the ability of the UN and its humanitarian partners to deliver critical assistance when it is most needed.
The Spokesman also accused Government troops of commandeering three WFP Humanitarian trucks and using them for their own purposes.
