More Convoys Carrying Relief Aid Reach Tigray

ADDIS ABABA – An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its convoy of 20 trucks containing vital humanitarian assistance reached Mekele, the capital of the northern region of Ethiopia.

The convoy, ICRC’s third to reach Tigray in April, delivered food, seeds, water treatment materials and medical supplies on Saturday.

The convoys supplement the humanitarian assistance – primarily medical items – flown in by 54 ICRC Cargo flights since January, according to the Red Cross.

“ICRC welcomes the willingness of the parties to the conflict to facilitate passage of much-needed humanitarian aid,” the aid agency said.

According to the ICRC, the newly arrived medical supplies will cover the treatment of 65,000 patients in 13 primary health care facilities for three months, and 6,600 diabetic patients for up to a year in four hospitals.

In addition, it said the supplies would significantly boost the operation of health facilities in Shire, Semema and Shiraro towns.

Nevertheless, the ICRC says its “contribution remains modest” against the huge needs in the region.

Apart from ICRC, the World Food Program or WFP-led convoy of 27 trucks delivered more humanitarian supplies into Mekelle on Saturday, taking the number of trucks with relief aid arriving in the region in April to 170.

The next convoy would depart on Monday, said the WFP in a brief statement on Twitter Sunday.

Both WFP and ICRC urged all authorities to build on the current momentum and keep convoys flowing in the months ahead.

 

Featured Image: At least 170 trucks carrying relief aid arrived in Mekelle last month. [Photo WFP]