The UNHCR report. Refugees are suffering intimidation and violence in a constant state of terror, without being able to access any humanitarian assistance.
ROME - It is estimated that around 24,000 Ethiopians have fled to the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps in the Mai Tsebri area of Tigray. It is taking place in the most northerly of the ten regions of Ethiopia, populated by people of Tigrayan ethnicity, the theater of a war that since November 2020 has been opposed by the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Ethiopian Federal Government and Eritrean army troupes. L’UNHCR he says, in his report of recent days, that the refugees in the country are suffering intimidation and violence in a state of constant terror, without being able to access any humanitarian assistance. The fate of thousands of people, however, represents a further humanitarian crisis in the making, within two refugee camps in the Ethiopian region of Tigray, while fighting between armed groups is intensifying inside and on the outskirts.
The water is running out and the floor is dry. “In the last few days - as stated in the note issued by the UN Agency for Refugees - we have received disturbing and credible reports from the Mai Aini camp, according to which at least one refugee was killed by armed groups operating inside the camp. This latest death is compounded by the killing of another refugee on 14 July”. The UNHCR calls on all parties to the conflict to fulfill their obligations under international law, including the respect for the civilian character of the refugee camps, and the right of refugees and all civilians to be protected from violence. “Our staff - the Agency's document continues - has been blocking all access to the refugee camps over the last two weeks. Intra-police refugees urgently need life-saving assistance. Drinking water is running out, sanitary services are not available and the fame is a real threat. The last distribution of food to all the campuses is at the end of July, when rations for a month have been provided”.
People are also fleeing from the Afar region. Recent armed conflicts have also caused many people to flee the region of Afar, which borders Tigray and where another 55,000 Eritrean refugees are living. There are signs of armed settlements near the places where they live. In the meantime, the main humanitarian road between Semera in Afar and Mekelle in Tigray has been completely blocked since June 18. UNHCR's supplies, like those of other agencies, are blocked off at Semera. The UNHCR urges all parties to the conflict to guarantee immediate humanitarian access and safety for humanitarian workers trying to provide life-saving assistance.
Source: la Repubblica