The United Nations is considering a drastic measure in response to escalating violence against humanitarian workers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region.
According to a leaked draft proposal, the UN is contemplating a temporary suspension of relief operations, including vital food aid deliveries.
The decision comes after a surge in attacks on aid workers in the region.
Five humanitarian staff members were killed, ten were physically assaulted, and eleven were kidnapped in the first six months of 2024 alone.
The UN’s internal document states that these incidents have seriously compromised the safety of aid workers and their ability to reach those in need.
The potential suspension of relief operations has sparked strong opposition from several NGOs and donor nations.
They argue that such a move would have a devastating impact on over 2.3 million people in Amhara who rely on food aid to survive.
The region is already grappling with ongoing conflict between the Ethiopian government and Amhara Fano militiamen, which has displaced thousands and caused widespread suffering.
The UN’s decision to consider suspending aid operations highlights the increasingly dangerous conditions faced by humanitarian workers in conflict-affected regions.
The international community is facing a difficult choice between protecting aid workers and ensuring the delivery of essential assistance to vulnerable populations.