Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has refuted claims of starvation-related deaths in conflict-ridden areas such as Tigray and Amhara, despite acknowledging the presence of a food crisis.
During a parliamentary session, Mr. Abiy stated, “There are no people dying due to hunger in Ethiopia,” although he acknowledged that some deaths might be linked to illnesses stemming from malnutrition.
While acknowledging the impact of drought in regions like Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, the Prime Minister cautioned against politicizing the issue.
In contrast, last month, the state-appointed Federal Ombudsman Institute reported nearly 400 hunger-related deaths in Tigray and Amhara over the past six months.
Criticism has been directed at both federal and regional authorities by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC), accusing them of inadequate humanitarian aid provision to the most vulnerable populations.
The UN estimates that approximately 20 million people in Ethiopia require food assistance due to ongoing conflicts, drought, and flooding.
Source-BBC
