EU Calls on Parties to Conflict in Ethiopia to Abide by Int'l Humanitarian Law

On Saturday, the European Union (EU)'s commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said that the EU increased humanitarian funding for Ethiopia by €23.7 million in a step aims to address the urgent humanitarian crisis linked to the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

In a statement, he added that Tigray is on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe which risks destabilizing the whole neighborhood, noting that the current crisis comes on top of an already complex humanitarian situation, significantly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The EU official also called on the parties to conflict in Ethiopia to abide by International Humanitarian Law, affirming, "We will not let the people of East Africa down in these difficult times."

Lenarčič pointed out that the EU is stepping up its humanitarian support for the region, including for Sudan, which is suffering the brunt of the refugee wave from Tigray.”said: “European solidarity with those in need in Ethiopia continues, despite the pandemic and any political considerations in Ethiopia."

"Humanitarian partners working in Ethiopia will receive an extra €18.8 million and €2 million will go to Sudan to help with the influx of refugees from Tigray. In addition, €2.9 million will be mobilised to address the fast deteriorating food security situation of refugees in Kenya," he noted.

In Ethiopia, the new additional funding will seek to urgently replenish and pre-position life-saving goods and equipment, provide life-saving services such as water and health, and enhance treatment for malnutrition. This brings total humanitarian support for Ethiopia in 2020 to €63.2 million.

In Sudan, to respond to the spill-over effect of the Tigray crisis, an addition €2 million to support refugees will be distributed, bringing the total EU aid for Sudan in 2020 to €67.5 million.

In Kenya, €2.9 million in additional funding will help address the deteriorating situation of refugee camps in the country, which are facing a major food security crisis. This brings total humanitarian support for Kenya in 2020 to €17.9 million.