Armed men enter WFP compound in the regional capital, Mekelle, on Wednesday and seized 12 ships full of fuel, which was recently purchased. The supply only arrived a few days earlier.
David Beasley, Executive Director of WFP, issued statement condemns the theft, which comes as fighting has continued between Ethiopian forces and the separatists following a five-month humanitarian truce.
Almost starving
WFP will now be unable to distribute food, fertilizer, medicine and other emergency supplies throughout Tigray, where an estimated 5.2 million people faced a severe famine.
“The loss of this fuel will push communities in Tigray, already grappling with the effects of the conflict, further to the brink of famine‘ said Mr. Beasley.
WFP will also be prevented from powering generators and vehicles, crucial for staff and humanitarian partners supporting vulnerable populations.
“We demand that the Tigrayan authorities return these fuel depots to the humanitarian community immediately. Since the next harvest isn’t until October, our life-saving food deliveries could not be more urgent or important to the survival of millions of people,” said Mr Beasley.
WFP is working around the clock to support those most in need, he added, “but we need fuel, funding and all the supplies on controlled lines to maximize deliveries throughout Northern Ethiopia. ”
