Humanitarian Coordinator condemns killing of nine aid workers in Ethiopia over the past six months

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Dr. Catherine Sozi, strongly condemns the attacks that led to the death of nine aid workers in Ethiopia over the past six months in the Tigray Region and in Benishangul Gumuz Region.

“I am appalled by these events, and I send my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. Aid workers do their utmost possible to alleviate human suffering and deliver critical relief aid despite challenging conditions, including in areas where hostilities are ongoing. As provided by international and national law and policies, humanitarian actors must be respected, protected, and fully assisted in carrying out their mission”, Dr. Sozi said.

The Humanitarian Coordinator asks the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that an official, independent and impartial investigation into these nine killings is conducted, and that the authorities hold the perpetrators of attacks against humanitarian personnel accountable. Dr. Sozi further added that she calls for the Government “to put in place every possible measure to safeguard the protection of humanitarian aid workers in Ethiopia, thereby preventing that these incidents do not happen again”.