Current:Home > FinanceResearchers have verified 1,329 hunger deaths in Ethiopia’s Tigray region since the cease-fire there-InfoLens
Researchers have verified 1,329 hunger deaths in Ethiopia’s Tigray region since the cease-fire there
View Date:2024-12-23 15:43:43
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Researchers say they have verified 1,329 deaths from hunger in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region since a cease-fire ended a two-year conflict there in November.
A study by local health authorities and Mekele University in the regional capital found that hunger is now the main cause of death in Tigray, accounting for more than 68% of deaths investigated by the researchers.
The study is based on a household census conducted by health workers from August 15-29 in nine subdistricts of Tigray and 53 camps for internally displaced people.
Tigray in total has 88 subdistricts and 643 displacement camps, so the number of hunger deaths across the region is almost certainly far higher.
One factor is the suspension of food aid by the United States and United Nations after the discovery in March of a huge scheme to steal humanitarian grain in Tigray. The pause was extended to the rest of Ethiopia in June after the theft was found to be nationwide.
Ethiopia’s government wants the suspension ended. The U.S. government and the U.N. want the government to give up its control of the food aid delivery system.
The number of deaths from all causes recorded by the researchers in the Tigray areas studied rose sharply after the aid suspension, almost doubling from 159 in March to 305 in July.
Around 5.4 million of Tigray’s 6 million population relied on humanitarian aid. Over 20 million people in Ethiopia as a whole need food aid.
The study’s findings are described in a document seen by The Associated Press and prepared by the Tigray Emergency Coordination Center, a group of U.N. agencies, aid groups and regional government offices.
Hunger plagued Tigray throughout the conflict between Ethiopian and allied forces and Tigray fighters. For much of it, the federal government cut the region’s services and restricted aid access, prompting U.N. experts to accuse it of using hunger as a weapon.
The government rejected claims of weaponizing aid, blaming the Tigray fighters for the lack of access.
November’s cease-fire kindled hopes that aid would reach the region, but they were dashed by the discovery of the massive theft, with some U.S.-marked bags of grain being sold in local markets.
Tigray authorities found that 7,000 metric tons of grain had been stolen. Earlier this month, the region’s leader announced that 480 officials had been arrested in connection with the corruption.
Other parts of Ethiopia are yet to disclose the results of their own probes. The U.S. and the U.N. World Food Program are also investigating.
veryGood! (86)
Related
- Giuliani’s lawyers after $148M defamation judgment seek to withdraw from his case
- Why Katherine Heigl Had to Leave Hollywood to Raise Her Kids
- Ulta 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Grande Cosmetics, Sunday Riley, Origins, L'Occitane, and More
- Large, unexploded WWII bomb forces 2,500 to evacuate in Poland
- The Best Gifts for Men – That He Won’t Want to Return
- Lounge Underwear 60% Off Sale: If You Have Big Boobs, These Are the 32 Size-Inclusive Styles You Need
- Rihanna Shares Glimpse at Her Delicious Pregnancy Cravings That Will Make Your Mouth Water
- Grateful Ryan Seacrest Admits He's Looking Forward to Live With Kelly and Ryan Departure
- NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
- Danielle Brooks Shares Teary Reaction to Orange Is the New Black's 10th Anniversary
Ranking
- Bo the police K-9, who located child taken at knifepoint, wins Hero Dog Awards 2024
- Here's the Truth About Raquel Leviss Visiting Tom Sandoval's Home
- See Matt Damon's Rare Night Out With His All-Grown Up Kids and Wife Luciana Barroso
- Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: 50% Off Tula, First Aid Beauty, Bobbi Brown, and More
- Jennifer Lopez Turns Wicked Premiere Into Family Outing With 16-Year-Old Emme
- Katie Holmes Makes Rare Comment About Daughter Suri Cruise While Reflecting on Dawson's Creek Days
- Brian Austin Green Debuts Blonde Hair During 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards Date With Sharna Burgess
- Ditch Your Self-Tanner and Save 65% On Sweat-Proof Tarte Bronzer That Lasts All Day
Recommendation
-
The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
-
Yara Shahidi Announces Grown-ish Is Ending With Sixth and Final Season
-
Shop 17 Joanna Buchanan Home Goods That Are Whimsical, Wonderful & Totally You
-
90 Day Fiancé: Love in Paradise Trailer: Meet the Couples Looking to Make Love Last
-
The Masked Singer's Ice King Might Be a Jonas Brother
-
Wagner Group boss, Putin's butcher, says Russia at risk of losing Ukraine war and facing a revolution
-
Why Model Emira D'Spain Decided to Document Her Gender Confirming Surgery
-
JoJo Siwa's Ex Katie Mills Reacts to Clout Chasing and Love Bombing Accusations