Tigray rebel claims150 die from starvation

The rebel group in Ethiopia’s Tigray region says 150 people may have died of starvation as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the region.

The Ethiopian government has not reacted to the claim. But it’d previously rejected accusations by the UN that it’s blocking aid.

Tigray people’s liberation front Agriculture Chief Atinkut Mezgebo said; ”people and livestock were dying from lack of food and medicines “and the crisis might be bigger than what we know.”

He told newsmen that people were dying ‘’in front of our eyes due to starvation’’ and that women and children were most affected by the food shortage.

It’s nearly impossible to independently verify the claims as phone lines and the internet remain cut off in Tigray.

But relief agencies have long been warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis with disastrous consequences.

The statement released by Tigrayan forces on Monday said that some of the deaths occurred in camps hosting people displaced by the ongoing conflict.

The humanitarian situation in Tigray remains dire.

According to the United Nations, UN, at least 100 trucks of food and non-food items must enter the region every day to meet the humanitarian needs. But less than 500 trucks have arrived since mid-July.

The number of people needing emergency assistance exceeds five million and 400,000 face famine like conditions.

With active fighting in bordering Afar and Amhara regions among Tigrayan forces and the army with its aligned forces, it’s feared that that the number could even get higher.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere