March 28, 2025 | 14:46 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Saturday- 20:50, 03/07/2021

UN warns of worsening famine in Ethiopia's Tigray

(VAN) Top UN officials warned the Security Council on Friday (Jul 2) that more than 400,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray were now in famine...

and that there was a risk of more clashes in the region despite a unilateral ceasefire by the federal government.

Ethiopian porters unload food aid bound for victims of war after a checkpoint leading to Tigray in Mai Tsebri town, Ethiopia June 26, 2021. 

Ethiopian porters unload food aid bound for victims of war after a checkpoint leading to Tigray in Mai Tsebri town, Ethiopia June 26, 2021. 

After six private discussions, the Security Council held its first public meeting since fighting broke out in November between government forces, backed by troops from neighboring Eritrea, and TPLF fighters with Tigray's former ruling party.

Acting U.N. aid chief Ramesh Rajasingham told the council that the humanitarian situation in Tigray had "worsened dramatically" in recent weeks with an increase of some 50,000 in the number of people now suffering famine.

"More than 400,000 people are estimated to have crossed the threshold into famine and another 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine. Some are suggesting that the numbers are even higher. 33,000 children are severely malnourished," he said.

The Ethiopian government declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, which the TPLF dismissed as a joke. There are reports of continued clashes in some places as pressure builds internationally for all sides to pull back.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said Ethiopia's government "must now demonstrate that it truly intends to use the ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe." She also urged all parties to negotiate and honor "a true ceasefire."

"If the parties to the conflict failed to seize this moment, the consequences for the people of Ethiopia, will be devastating. More fighting, more famine, more abuses, more suffering by ordinary Ethiopians and a far more destabilized Horn of Africa," Thomas-Greenfield told the council.

U.N. political and peacebuilding affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said Eritrean forces had withdrawn to areas adjacent to the border and that forces from the neighboring region of Amhara remained in areas of western Tigray that they had seized.

"In short, there is potential for more confrontations and a swift deterioration in the security situation, which is extremely concerning," she told the council.

She urged the TPLF to endorse the ceasefire "immediately and completely" and for the Eritrean troops to fully implement their withdrawal.

Tr.D

 (Reuters)

Brazil faces inflation risks as surging corn prices eclipse rice plunge

Brazil faces inflation risks as surging corn prices eclipse rice plunge

(VAN) Corn prices in the Campinas region have surged past 90 reais ($15.80) per 60-kg bag, the highest nominal level in nearly three years, marking a more than 23% jump year-to-date, according to the widely followed Cepea index from the University of Sao Paulo.

Breaking cycle of forest land grabs

Breaking cycle of forest land grabs

(VAN) Thailand’s efforts to address landlessness among its population has been a priority for multiple administrations.

Engaging the next generation in the connection between forests and foods

Engaging the next generation in the connection between forests and foods

(VAN) FAO, together with the Government of Italy, and a forest expert and a master ice cream maker from Italy, educate young students on the significance of forest foods at FAO Park.

The glyphosate debate

The glyphosate debate

(VAN) The EU has recently approved the use of glyphosate for another decade. Bárbara Pinho examines the controversial pesticide’s presence in British farming and considers the possibility of a ban in the UK.

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza calls for stepped up action, FAO says

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza calls for stepped up action, FAO says

(VAN) Averting losses of hundreds of millions of poultry crucial to mitigate impacts on food security, nutrition and affordability of poultry products.

Indonesia's cocoa farmers work with businesses to fight the bitter impact of climate change

Indonesia's cocoa farmers work with businesses to fight the bitter impact of climate change

(VAN) The loud whirr of a chainsaw sounds through the forest as a small group of farmers gathers around a tree filled with red seed pods. With one slow stroke, a severed knobby branch hits the ground.

Advancing sorghum science: A drought-resilient crop for agriculture's future

Advancing sorghum science: A drought-resilient crop for agriculture's future

(VAN) The importance of this cereal lies in its role in the future of human and animal nutrition, providing a sustainable alternative for areas facing water scarcity.

Read more