Regions
The head of the International Red Cross (ICRC) has called for an urgent political solution to bring to an end the war in Ethiopia’s northern region on Tigray, as heavy fighting continues to be reported near the strategic city of Dessie.
Peter Maurer told the BBC in an interview that the crisis, which is nearing its one year mark, is worsening and the needs are bigger everyday.
“At the present moment we don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. The message to fighting parties in a conflict is always the same. The earlier we find political solutions to bring us out of the conflict, the better it is,” Mr Maurer said.
He added: “Because let’s not fool ourselves, even if the conflict stops tomorrow, we’ll still have hundred of thousands of people displaced and [with] enormous needs,”
Renewed fighting particularly in rebel held Amhara areas has meant that the number of people in need of aid could rise significantly and efforts to reach them could be impaired.
Thousands have been displaced this month due to the ongoing fighting near the city of Dessie.
