https://www.dw.com/am/በአማራ-ክልል-ከ50-በላይ-ተፈናቃዮች-ከርሀብ-ጋር-ሕይወታቸው-ማለፉ Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic report taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic - More than 50 displaced persons have died in Amhara Region from starvation
November 29, 2023
A large number of Amhara residents who resided in various parts of Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions have lost their lives from ethnic-based attacks starting from 2008 EC (2015-2016 GC), whereas others were forced to leave their homes where they were born and raised.
According to several that were displaced to Chagni town in Awi Zone of Amhara Region from Eastern Wollega (Oromia Region) in Hedar 2015 EC (November 2022) they told DW they have not received food assistance since the month of Ginbot (May 2023) when they were given 15-kg of corn, and as a result more than 50 children and elderly people have died from hunger.
The displaced persons said they had received support from local residents and wanted to return to where they came from however the current situation in Wollega was not permissive as it had not improved. As a result they called for urgent support saying, “we are facing severe hunger and disease, we need help from the government”.
The Chagni town administration-Awi administration Food Security Office representative Ato Yesuf Hussein acknowledged that displaced persons were facing a serious crisis and explained that the office had called on respective parties to ensure delivery of assistance. He further elaborated that the displaced people were taking shelter in demolished and partially constructed structures where they suffered hunger and disease.
The Awi administration Threat Prevention and Food Security Coordinating and Early Warning Group Director Ato Arefew Bekele said the lack of peace in the region and road closures were hindering delivery of assistance and acknowledged that over 55 people had died from starvation.
The Amhara Region Threat Prevention, Food Security Coordinating Commissioner Deacon Tesfahun Batabel was asked about the matter and responded, “the zone emergency prevention and food security sends assistance upon request.” He added road closures can hinder delivery of assistance to target areas for the zone. In Amhara Region, there are more than 600,000 displaced persons while over 300,000 receive assistance.
Alemnew Mekonnen
Shewaye Legesse
Negash Mehamed
