Fears grow over hunger in Ethiopia's troubled north

Concerns over food shortages are growing in the northern Ethiopian regions of Amhara and Afar as the ethnic conflicts that sparked the crisis jeopardize efforts to assist tens of thousands of displaced people urgently needing support.

The conflicts in the two regions are a spillover of the violence in Tigray that broke out nine months ago between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and the Ethiopian army. The Tigray conflict caused many thousands to flee their homes, with hundreds on the verge of starvation.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflicts have displaced 100,000 people in Amhara and 70,000 in Afar. Ethnic conflicts between Afar and Somali communities have forced a further 35,000 people from their homes.

In the Amhara region, the UN agency said, the conflicts have made it difficult for aid workers to reach residents near the Amhara-Tigray regional border and the Amhara-Benishangul Gumuz regional border. Flash floods have added to the misery in parts of Amhara and Afar.

The agency said intercommunal conflicts in the Central Gondar and Awi zones are swelling the numbers of people who have had to leave their homes behind.

"UN agencies are supporting our partners and government counterparts throughout Amhara, including in health and nutrition and cash programs," the agency said.

However, the agency said the response is insufficient to meet the increasing humanitarian needs.

"Immediate resource mobilization is required to meet the urgent needs of affected communities," it said. "Emergency shelter, food and nonfood items are the key priorities. Pre-positioning of supplies particularly for health, nutrition, shelter, and protection is urgently required."

In the Afar region, the UN agency said communities in 10 districts that border Tigray are hosting nearly 50,000 displaced people of Tigrayan and Afari origin, with minimal assistance due to a lack of resources and limited access.

The UN agency warned that an additional 500,000 people in the Afar areas of Awsi, Kilbati and Fanti risk being displaced if the conflict continues in Tigray.

According to the UN, an estimated 5.2 million people in Tigray, or about 90 percent of the population, need assistance.