https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230611/ethiopia-says-food-aid-suspension-by-usaid-wfp-punishes-millions-1059853223.html
Ethiopia Says Food Aid Suspension by USAID, WFP 'Punishes Millions'
Ethiopia Says Food Aid Suspension by USAID, WFP 'Punishes Millions'
Sputnik Africa
The Ethiopian government on Saturday criticised a move by two major aid organisations to halt the sending of food assistance to the country after discovering... 11.06.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-06-11T18:45+0200
2023-06-11T18:45+0200
2023-06-11T18:45+0200
sub-saharan africa
ethiopia
united nations (un)
united states (us)
usaid
food security
world food programme (wfp)
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The Ethiopian government's spokesman Legesse Tulu told journalists the decision by USAID and the World Food Programme (WFP) "punishes millions". On Thursday, USAID, the US government's main international aid agency, said it was halting food distribution "until reforms are in place" to the way in which the aid is delivered. The WFP followed suit on Friday, saying it was temporarily halting only some food aid assistance. The decision will affect millions of Ethiopians facing severe food shortages due to a devastating war in the northern region of Tigray, and a punishing drought in the south and southeast that has also struck Somalia and parts of Kenya. Last month, USAID and WFP said they would freeze food aid to Tigray after the agencies discovered that shipments were being diverted to local markets. Neither agency has identified those responsible for taking the aid and reselling it. However, Tulu said the decision to halt assistance was "political," adding that "to make the government only responsible (for the diversions) is unacceptable." Ethiopia's government on Friday said in a joint statement with USAID that it was committed to addressing the "deeply concerning revelations of food aid diversion". Due to conflict and drought, around 20 million people in Ethiopia depend on food aid, the UN's humanitarian agency (OCHA) said in May. Ethiopia hosts nearly one million refugees, mostly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. Nearly 30,000 fleeing the recent conflict in Sudan have since mid-April found refuge in the country.
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ethiopia, united nations (un), united states (us), usaid, food security , world food programme (wfp)
ethiopia, united nations (un), united states (us), usaid, food security , world food programme (wfp)
Ethiopia Says Food Aid Suspension by USAID, WFP 'Punishes Millions'
The Ethiopian government on Saturday criticised a move by two major aid organisations to halt the sending of food assistance to the country after discovering it was being diverted from those who need it.
The Ethiopian government's spokesman Legesse Tulu told journalists the decision by USAID and the World Food Programme (WFP) "punishes millions".
On Thursday, USAID, the US government's main international aid agency,
said it was halting food distribution "until reforms are in place" to the way in which the aid is delivered.
The WFP followed suit on Friday, saying it was temporarily halting only some food aid assistance.
The decision will affect millions of Ethiopians facing severe food shortages due to a devastating war in the northern region of Tigray, and a punishing drought in the south and southeast that has also struck Somalia and parts of Kenya.
Last month, USAID and
WFP said they would freeze food aid to Tigray after the agencies discovered that shipments were being diverted to local markets.
Neither agency has identified those responsible for taking the aid and reselling it.
However, Tulu said the decision to halt assistance was "political," adding that "to make the government only responsible (for the diversions) is unacceptable."
Ethiopia's government on Friday said in a joint statement with USAID that it was committed to addressing the "deeply concerning revelations of food aid diversion".
Due to conflict and drought, around 20 million people in Ethiopia depend on food aid, the UN's humanitarian agency (OCHA) said in May.
Ethiopia hosts nearly one million refugees, mostly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.
Nearly 30,000 fleeing the recent conflict in Sudan have since mid-April found refuge in the country.
