Govt, Aid Agencies Discuss humanitarian response in N Ethiopia, Missing Trucks

ADDIS ABABA – Minister of Peace Muferihat Kamil met with the International Humanitarian partners on Wednesday to discuss on the ongoing humanitarian aid delivery process in the northern part of Ethiopia and aid trucks that went missing in Tigray region.

The two sides also deliberated on gaps identified in reaching out to aid recipients in the Amhara and Afar regions and the immediate steps to be taken, the ministry of peace in a statement issued after the meeting.

The discussion agreed shortage of trucks has affected the ongoing humanitarian response with hundreds of convoys are yet return after delivering aid in Tigray region.

“Although there is a daily plan set to deliver aid to the Tigray region, it is impeded due to the trucks entered the region but not returned,” the statement reads.

The agencies stressed that the shortage of trucks inhibited the proper delivery of aid to the Tigray region.

An agreement with the humanitarian agencies that they should take responsibility and ensure the immediate return of the trucks, the ministry said.

A total of 466 trucks entered Tigray until 12 July alone. And yet, only 38 returned.
International agencies including the UN that were responsible in delivering the trucks are yet explain about the whereabouts of the convoys and why they were not returned back from the region.

The government suspects that TPLF has been “seizing trucks for their own logistics”, according to a government-linked Twitter page.