John, I have sent messages before about the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. But since my last email the emergency has escalated dramatically, and I wanted to update you on recent developments.

The situation on the ground remains complex and rapidly changing.

Last November, fierce fighting erupted between the Tigray regional government and Ethiopian federal forces, forcing an estimated 1.7 million people to flee, and leaving them in desperate need of emergency aid. In the past weeks, renewed fighting has put civilians at increased risk, with reports of women and children being killed.

The sense of fear and tension is devastating for people who have already been through so much.

Months of continued conflict, displacement and limited humanitarian access have brought acute food insecurity, bringing the region to the brink of famine. Right now, over 350,000 people in Tigray are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. More than 90% of Tigray’s crop harvest for 2020 was lost, as the conflict started at the beginning of the harvesting season and armed groups have reportedly pillaged any food stocks they found on the way. Hunger looms for some 5.5 million people.

In addition, reports of human rights atrocities are widespread, particularly against women and young girls. Every day without a safe place to live is a day when they are more vulnerable to sexual violence.

My colleagues on the ground are hearing harrowing stories of sexual violence and human rights abuses, including forced recruitment of men and young boys. 

UNHCR is trying all to help men, women and children have access to safety and provide them with the services they need to survive in the wake of these horrible challenges.  

With your support, we can do more.
The time to act is now.

We very much appreciate your ongoing support.

Thank you so much.

Kind regards,

Astrid van Genderen Stort
Head of Emergencies and Communications, PSP
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency