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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen said 85 percent of all humanitarian aid corridors in Tigray Region are now open. 

Demeke revealed the above during his meeting with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab  this afternoon in Addis Ababa.

Speaking to journalists after the discussion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Dina Mufti said the deputy prime minister and foreign minister briefed Raab on the law enforcement operation, humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation activities, and the interim administration structure being set up in Tigray Region. 

Noting the successful completion of the law enforcement operation in the northern part of the country, Demeke stated that 85 percent of all humanitarian aid corridors, at even Kebele levels are accessible.   

“The deputy prime minister and foreign minister briefed the visiting foreign secretary that the law enforcement campaign has been successfully completed and the reconstruction activities, as well as humanitarian assistance are underway. He also explained about the interim administration structure being set up in Tigray,” the spokesperson said.

The Government of Ethiopia has continued to work with international humanitarian agencies to strengthen its reach to all places of crises in the region, he added.

Briefing Foreign Secretary Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke said the border tension with Sudan has deteriorated to some extent. However, he pointed out that Ethiopia is working tirelessly to resolve the border dispute peacefully.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged Ethiopia to consolidate its effort to strengthen the humanitarian aid in Tigray Region.

He also pledged to strengthen England’s support to Ethiopia in all spheres. The two sides also discussed the African Union (AU) led Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) mediation to find a lasting settlement between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

Ethio Telecom announces preparations to fully restore telecom services in all parts of Tigray.

Presenting its 2020/21 first half performance report yesterday, Ethio-telecom Chief Executive Officer Frehiwot Tamru told Journalists that the company has been widely working on restoring telecom services that have been stalled due to devastation of infrastructure by the TPLF Junta.

Now, the repairing of the damaged telecom infrastructure has been completed. “We have resumed telecom service using alternatives as well as conducting necessary maintenance and rehabilitation works on damaged telecom infrastructure.

In some areas of the region including Mekelle, Almata, Maykadra, Shiraro, Humera, Dansha, Turkan, Maytsebri and others, telecom services have already resumed.

According to EPA, Ethio Telecom has been working to engage in mobile money or banking and related digital financial services to bring successful financial inclusion.

President Sahle-Work Zewde bade farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of the United States to Ethiopia Michael Raynor.

The President gave the Ambassador a congratulatory letter for the newly inaugurated American President Joseph R. Biden.

The President also yesterday congratulated Kamala Harris, the first female Vice President of the US.

“I have no doubt she will inspire many young girls and women in and beyond the US,” President Sahle-Work tweeted.

Media Release

Ministry of Peace, 19 January 2021

Humanitarian response in Tigray Region is underway

Since the law enforcement operation in the Northern part of Ethiopia completed, humanitarian assistance containing food & non-food items and medical supplies have been delivered for more than 1.8 million beneficiaries. Expanded to address 2.5 million beneficiaries across the region.

Under the leadership of the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) Ministerial Committee, an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) comprising of technical teams from Ministries, Regional Bureaus, UN Agencies and International NGOs has been established in Mekelle City to address immediate needs.

A four-layered Emergency coordination system (Regional, Zonal, Woreda and food distribution point) have been put in place to capture additional needs.

The Government of Ethiopia is collaborating with development and humanitarian partners for a rapid delivery of supplies to increase the coverage of assistance to identified beneficiaries.

The Ethiopian National Defence Force is supporting the coordination of the humanitarian assistance by facilitating secured movement of people and supplies.

Distribution is facilitated by the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), Consortium of International and local NGOs under the coordination of UNOCHA and the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). Distribution is carried out from Axum, Adigrat, Alamata, Mkelle Zuria, Shire and Mekelle City.

Women, children, elderly and disabled persons are prioritized in the distribution of food, non-food items, and medical supplies.

The Government and humanitarian partners are working closely in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed on 29 November 2020. A joint needs assessment is underway to identify the precise number of beneficiaries.

The Government of Ethiopia is committed to address all needs arising in the region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has today extended best wished to Ethiopian Christians up on the celebration of Timket festival, baptism of Jesus Christ in River Jordan.

“We remember two things while celebrating Timket or the baptism of Jesus Christ; humility and transformation.” the Premier said.

“The presence of God who has the supreme amidst the River Jordan and his baptism in hands of John and he transformed the water in to sources of salvation and blessings although water served as instrument of divine retribution previously. We have to draw lessons this and turn circumstances in to opportunities for better future,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

“God converted not the nature of the water but the service bound to it, same token we have to change tools which were applied for malicious deeds in to instruments of success.”,

Ethiopia is going forward to better future, he said, calling for perseverance to ensure triumph over all circumstances.

He also urged faithful to show compassion to the needy and adhere to COVID 19 precautions while celebrating the Ketera-Timket festival. Ethiopian Christians celebrate celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan on 19 January. Ketera is the eve which marks the travel of Jessus Chirst from Galilee to Jordan. During this day, the Tabots or replica of the Ark of the Covenant carried by priests and accompanied by procession goes to places designated for Timket, baptism ceremony.