Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: The World Food Programme (WFP) has called on authorities in Tigray to return the fuel stocks stollen from WFP.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which currently rules over the Tigray region, of forcibly removing the fuel stock in the regional capital, Mekelle.
On Thursday, the WFP in a statement called on authorities in Tigray, particularly the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), to return the fuel stocks.
In a statement attributable to David Beasley, Executive Director of the WFP, on Thursday the WFP said a group of armed men entered WFP’s compound in Mekelle on On Wednesday morning and forcibly seized 12 tankers filled with over half a million litres of fuel.
“We demand the Tigrayan Authorities return these fuel stocks to the humanitarian community immediately. As the next harvest is not until October, our deliveries of life-saving food could not be more urgent or critical to the survival of millions,” the statement read.
This fuel had recently been purchased by WFP and arrived just days before it was stolen, it said.
“Without it, it is impossible for WFP to distribute food, fertilizer, medicines and other emergency supplies across Tigray. It also prevents us from powering generators and vehicles, so that WFP and humanitarian partners can meet the needs of the vulnerable populations of Tigray, where an estimated 5.2 million people face severe hunger,” the statement read.
The loss of this fuel will push communities in Tigray, already struggling with the impacts of the conflict, further towards the brink of starvation, the WFP said.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has also condemned forcible removal of fuel tankers
“I was disturbed to learn of the forcible removal of fuel tankers from the warehouse of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Mekelle, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, yesterday (Aug. 14),” Griffiths said in statement.
Griffiths said the supplies, 12 tankers carrying over 570,000 liters of fuel, were meant to help the UN and its partners bring humanitarian supplies to people who badly need assistance.
“Without them, people will be left without food, nutrition supplements, medicines and other essential items. At a time when malnutrition and food insecurity are rising, the consequences can be dire,” he said.
“I condemn all diversion of aid assets. Humanitarian relief supplies must be protected throughout Ethiopia. Obstruction of humanitarian aid must stop,” Griffiths said.
