Relief operations in Ethiopia's Tigray resume slowly, security fluid: UN

United Nations, July 4: Aid access is gradually improving in parts of Ethiopia's Tigray region despite an erratic security situation, UN Humanitarians said on Friday.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said food deliveries resume after suspending operations for about 48 hours. The agency expects to reach about 40,000 people in the northwest by the end of this weekend.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the security situation in Ethiopia's northernmost region remains fluid and unpredictable. It confirmed reports that a bridge over the Tekeze river connecting western Tigray with the rest of the area was destroyed and rendered inoperative.
Electricity and telecommunications remain cut off and banking services are still not available, OCHA said. While road access from and to Tigray for humanitarian supplies remains blocked, staff movement from Mekelle to Afar opened up Thursday.
There are no flights in and out of the region. However, the government said the WFP's UN Humanitarian Air Service flights could resume operations this weekend.
"It is urgent to get additional staff and supplies into Tigray, restore electricity, telecoms, and ensure the availability of cash and fuel for the continuity of humanitarian operations," OCHA said. "Without fuel the UN cannot operate."
"The destruction and vandalization of vital infrastructure are seriously threatening the provision of humanitarian assistance to people in need and access of civilians to essential services, goods and livelihoods," the office said. "All parties to the conflict must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in compliance with international humanitarian law."
Five UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) trucks with water, sanitation, hygiene, health and nutrition supplies are waiting to enter Tigray pending approval from federal authorities.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said it delivers seeds to farmers in Abi Adi in the southeast. At the same time, other humanitarian partners provide water trucking and maintain water systems for major towns and internally displaced people sites across the region.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF are preparing 55 mobile health and nutrition teams to get back into operation early next week, OCHA said. The agencies expect to resume the integrated measles campaign shortly.
Source: Xinhua