ETHIOPIA: Faith-based and Civil Organizations to Support the Needy in War-torn Regions of Ethiopia

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Following the declaration of an indefinite humanitarian truce by the government of Ethiopia in the war-ravaged Tigray region allowing for the free flow of emergency humanitarian aid to the needy, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia (CBCE) has acknowledged that Faith and civil organizations are collaborating towards the realization of this noble cause.

Sharing with AMECEA online what he terms as a “positive move” by organizations, Fr. Teshome Fikre Woldetensae noted that various Religious congregations have joined other actors to ensure that the displaced and other needy persons are supported in various ways possible.

“After the deal was reached by the two parties (the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front) to cease hostilities and stop conflict in Tigray region, the Catholic Church, Religious congregations, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), United Nations (UN) through World Food Programme (WFP), have joined to send some foodstuff and financial support to the people affected in the region,” Fr. Fikre disclosed, adding that these actors are coordinating with the Federal Government to support the displaced wherever they are.

According to the CBCE Secretary General who was attending a meeting in Kenya last weekend, April 29-30, the conflict did not only affect the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia but also the neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions where the fight led to displacement of millions of several of whom lost their lives while properties looted and destroyed.

Currently, explains the Ethiopian cleric during the Saturday interview with AMECEA online, “Bishops conference is coordinating the collected support and at the same time the conference has appealed to international partners to help support those displaced in Amhara, Afar and Tigray regions.”

“Individual congregations in Tigray which are more than 15 communities are working on the ground assisting the displaced, children, the hungry and many more others in need,” Secretary General said and continued, the blocking of boarders could not allow us transport available resources, but now it is facilitated very well by the Federal Government.”

Fr. Fikre noted that the Tigray boarders are not fully opened, but they have allowed for more daily flights unlike earlier when only two UN flights were allowed. Hence the possibility of “Charity organizations to transport some foodstuff and medicine for health care purposes.”

The Secretary General appreciated the Religious men and women in Tigray region who amidst facing the same challenges with the people in the society, still gave hope, encouragement and consolation to those suffering, a concern which reflects the Church as a body which “suffers with the people.”

“The life of the people is reflected in the life of the Church and the life of the Church is reflected on the life of the people,” Fr. Fikre said and asked for continued prayers for Ethiopia with the hope that the peace agreement will finally be reached by the concerned parties.