Tenth Report - The humanitarian situation in Tigray
Select Committee
International Development Committee
30 April 2021
Government Response (AI assessment · 71 of 73 classified)
Accepted
24
Acknowledged
29
Deferred
2
Rejected
5
Government response
The humanitarian situation in Tigray: Government Response to the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 16 Jul 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
29 results
9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 47
We commend the work of aid agencies in their provision of lifesaving assistance to communities...
Conclusion
We commend the work of aid agencies in their provision of lifesaving assistance to communities in Tigray, despite the extraordinarily difficult circumstances in which they are delivering this help. It is likely that the number of people whose basic needs …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the growing needs and states it will work through the multilateral system to address the restoration of basic services and continue to support the humanitarian response where access is possible, but highlights that insecurity prevents full resumption of services.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 69
With Ethiopia currently the UK’s largest bilateral recipient of ODA, we are surprised that the...
Conclusion
With Ethiopia currently the UK’s largest bilateral recipient of ODA, we are surprised that the UK Government has not allocated more financial assistance to the humanitarian response to the crisis in Tigray.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's surprise by stating total UK support to the crisis is £47.7m since November 2020, and that they keep their level of support under review while also engaging through diplomatic and political channels.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
OCHA’s 8 March situation update reported the looting of humanitarian supplies and the destruction and...
Conclusion
OCHA’s 8 March situation update reported the looting of humanitarian supplies and the destruction and vandalisation of humanitarian infrastructure.48 James Duddridge MP, Minister for Africa, told us that five Ethiopians working for international organisations that received UK funding were killed …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the humanitarian context by outlining its ongoing diplomatic efforts, including high-level meetings and engagement with international bodies, to urge an end to violence, secure humanitarian access, and address human rights abuses.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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26
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Paul Turnbull, Deputy Country Director and Representative of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in...
Conclusion
Paul Turnbull, Deputy Country Director and Representative of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Ethiopia, said: The situation in November and December was really terrible. It was not until about the middle of December that ICRC, and then WFP, …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors is a key priority, an issue raised bilaterally, and they continue to work with partners to improve access and reduce conflict.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
James Duddridge MP said: Sadly, some of the needs will be very basic—and even more...
Conclusion
James Duddridge MP said: Sadly, some of the needs will be very basic—and even more basic than the right to education and a health service. Just getting clean water and food to people, and stopping the rape and the forced …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors is a key priority, an issue raised bilaterally, and they continue to work with partners to improve access and reduce conflict.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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29
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are amongst the hardest hit by the crisis.69 In March the...
Conclusion
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are amongst the hardest hit by the crisis.69 In March the UN’s initial estimate was that there were 521,200 newly internally displaced people, of whom 493,300 were in Tigray, 23,680 in Afar, and 3,850 in Amhara …
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Government Response Summary
The government works with partners to understand needs, has redirected some aid to Tigray, and continues to review its aid programme while working with other donors to support resource mobilisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
As the crisis continues, IDPs in the region are unlikely to be able to return...
Conclusion
As the crisis continues, IDPs in the region are unlikely to be able to return home and the fragile security situation makes further displacements likely. The Humanitarian Needs Overview said: The situation in Tigray will continue to impact the overall …
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Government Response Summary
The government works with partners to understand needs, has redirected some aid to Tigray, and continues to review its aid programme while working with other donors to support resource mobilisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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32
Conclusion
Acknowledged
There is an urgent need to scale up the response to meet the existing critical...
Conclusion
There is an urgent need to scale up the response to meet the existing critical needs of displaced people.77 Paul Turnbull, UN WFP Ethiopia, told us that coordination was difficult, especially in a covid19 environment where the number of people …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors, stating it is a key FCDO priority and has been raised bilaterally with Ethiopian authorities and with partners to improve access.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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33
Conclusion
Acknowledged
As insecurity continues in Tigray, humanitarian access to the region remains constrained, particularly in and...
Conclusion
As insecurity continues in Tigray, humanitarian access to the region remains constrained, particularly in and around the city of Shire.79 Fighting, clashes, and ambushes have affected not only the safety and wellbeing of millions of people but also constrained humanitarian …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors is a key priority, an issue raised bilaterally, and they continue to work with partners to improve access and reduce conflict.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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34
Conclusion
Acknowledged
When the offensive began in November, the Ethiopian Government imposed a communications blackout.83 Access to...
Conclusion
When the offensive began in November, the Ethiopian Government imposed a communications blackout.83 Access to the internet and communications were and continue to be cut off or limited.84 Road and air access to the Tigray, Afar and Amhara Regions were …
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Government Response Summary
The FCDO acknowledges that ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors is a key priority, confirming that officials and the Foreign Secretary have repeatedly raised this issue with Ethiopian authorities. They continue to work with partners to improve access and seek a political solution.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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35
Conclusion
Acknowledged
On 3 March, the Ethiopian Prime Minister announced that aid agencies could operate in the...
Conclusion
On 3 March, the Ethiopian Prime Minister announced that aid agencies could operate in the region by providing a notification to the Ministry of Peace.87 Access has improved slightly as the Ethiopian Government has eased some of the initial restriction. …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that ensuring access and safety for humanitarian actors is a key priority and states they have raised this bilaterally with Ethiopian authorities and continue to work with partners to improve access and reduce conflict.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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36
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation, Tufts University, has described the...
Conclusion
Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation, Tufts University, has described the provision of permits and access to Tigray as a “process of death by bureaucracy” through “drip, drip arbitrary individual permits” with permits issued in a …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the difficulties with access by stating it remains a key priority, has been raised bilaterally with Ethiopian authorities, and that they continue to work with partners to improve access and reduce conflict.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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40
Conclusion
Acknowledged
On 12 April the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary said: I heard first hand, from...
Conclusion
On 12 April the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary said: I heard first hand, from humanitarian workers in Gondar, about the access challenges …. the Ethiopian government have announced changes in the process for humanitarian agency personnel to enter and …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns by stating that ensuring humanitarian access and safety is a key priority, has been raised bilaterally with Ethiopian authorities, and that they continue to work with partners to improve access and find a political solution.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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44
Conclusion
Acknowledged
In mid-March, 900,000 people had been given complete food baskets, almost 700,000 had been provided...
Conclusion
In mid-March, 900,000 people had been given complete food baskets, almost 700,000 had been provided with water, and 136,000 with shelter.108 Water trucking had exceeded the initial targeted population of approximately 455,300 people. But OCHA warned that the number of …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the situation by outlining its ongoing work with partners to assess needs, redirecting existing aid to Tigray, and continuing to review its aid program while coordinating with other donors for resource mobilisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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45
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The response to the need for shelter was alarmingly low compared to the response to...
Conclusion
The response to the need for shelter was alarmingly low compared to the response to other needs.110 Paul Turnbull said IDP camps could probably be avoided if enough support could be provided to IDPs and their hosts. He noted the …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the humanitarian needs by stating its ongoing work with partners to assess critical gaps, redirecting existing aid to Tigray, and continuing to review its aid programme while seeking further resource mobilisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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46
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Hunger in Tigray is an acute problem, with the World Peace Foundation detailing how the...
Conclusion
Hunger in Tigray is an acute problem, with the World Peace Foundation detailing how the situation goes beyond immediate destruction and includes “dismembering the components of an elaborate food security system built up over decades”.113 Considering how the international community …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it will use all necessary political levers to address the crisis, supporting initiatives for increased dialogue at the Security Council under UNSCR 2417 and considering further opportunities to improve humanitarian access.
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49
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Food security is a crucial component of the emergency response and we are deeply concerned...
Recommendation
Food security is a crucial component of the emergency response and we are deeply concerned by reports that hunger is being used in the conflict to achieve political ends. With the FCDO having appointed a Special Envoy for Famine Prevention …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated it will use all necessary political levers, supporting initiatives for increased dialogue at the Security Council under UNSCR 2417, and considering further opportunities to improve humanitarian access and reduce conflict intensity.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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50
Conclusion
Acknowledged
People in Tigray have very little access to healthcare.115 Hospitals, health facilities, medical supplies and...
Conclusion
People in Tigray have very little access to healthcare.115 Hospitals, health facilities, medical supplies and ambulances have been looted. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) estimated that barely 1 in 10 health facilities were functioning; of the 106 health facilities MSF teams …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the severe lack of access to healthcare due to insecurity and looting, stating it will work through multilateral systems and continue to support humanitarian responses to restore basic services where possible.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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52
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Dr Christian Rogg, the FCDO’s Development Director for Ethiopia, echoed CARE International’s findings, telling us...
Conclusion
Dr Christian Rogg, the FCDO’s Development Director for Ethiopia, echoed CARE International’s findings, telling us that most healthcare facilities were not functioning. He said restoring services would be challenging because facilities had been looted and personnel had left leading to …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will work through the multilateral system with donors to address basic service restoration, but notes insecurity currently prevents services from resuming. It continues to support the humanitarian response and improve access for partners.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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53
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Around 1.3 million children have not been able to access education.123 UNICEF reported that schools...
Conclusion
Around 1.3 million children have not been able to access education.123 UNICEF reported that schools had been looted, vandalised and occupied by armed forces and groups.124 About a quarter of the schools in Tigray have been damaged125 and cases of …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the disruption to basic services, including education, and states it will work through the multilateral system and continue to support the humanitarian response where access is possible, but notes that full resumption of services is hampered by insecurity.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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54
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Basic services were cut off at the start of the conflict and more than 4.5...
Conclusion
Basic services were cut off at the start of the conflict and more than 4.5 million people have been without adequate power or communications for more than four months.129 Filippo Grandi pointed out that the closure of the banking and …
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Government Response Summary
The UK states it will work multilaterally with partners to address the restoration of basic services, but notes that high insecurity prevents full resumption. It continues to support the humanitarian response to provide access where possible and remains concerned about food security.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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56
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary said the looting of health centres and destruction of...
Conclusion
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary said the looting of health centres and destruction of vital infrastructure by Eritrean forces and other belligerents had led to “the disintegration of essential basic services and is exacerbating the parlous humanitarian context.”132 He …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges posed by looting and insecurity in Tigray, stating it will work through multilateral systems to address the restoration of basic services and continues to support the humanitarian response where access is possible.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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57
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The provision and distribution of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, such as shelter, food and medicine, is...
Conclusion
The provision and distribution of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, such as shelter, food and medicine, is a vital first stage in the response to the situation in Tigray. Following this, the restoration of basic services such as schools and hospitals will …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the vital importance of restoring basic services and states it will work through the multilateral system and continue supporting the humanitarian response where access is possible, but highlights that ongoing insecurity means full resumption of services is not possible.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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58
Recommendation
Acknowledged
We recommend that the FCDO applies its learnings from other crises and works with other...
Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO applies its learnings from other crises and works with other donors to create a plan of action that is properly funded for the restoration of basic services to Tigray. In creating this plan, it should …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will work through the multilateral system with donors to address basic service restoration, but notes insecurity currently prevents services from resuming. It continues to support the humanitarian response and improve access for partners.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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63
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The UN regularly publishes and updates information on the funding needed and provided for the...
Conclusion
The UN regularly publishes and updates information on the funding needed and provided for the crisis in Tigray. In February it published a breakdown that showed that while the overall response was 71% funded, some sectors were a long way …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the humanitarian funding gaps, stating it works with partners like OCHA to assess needs and gaps, has redirected aid to Tigray, and collaborates with donors to avoid overlap and mobilise further resources.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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65
Conclusion
Acknowledged
On 8 April US AID announced it was “providing more than $152 million in additional...
Conclusion
On 8 April US AID announced it was “providing more than $152 million in additional humanitarian assistance” to address “life-threatening hunger and acute malnutrition, as well as provide safe drinking water, urgently needed medical and health support, and shelter for …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is working with partners to assess needs and identify gaps, has redirected some aid to the Tigray response, and continues to review its aid program and work with donors to support resource mobilisation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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68
Conclusion
Acknowledged
A failure to adequately resource the response to this crisis increases the risk of a...
Conclusion
A failure to adequately resource the response to this crisis increases the risk of a ripple effect of instability throughout the region. The failure to support the communities of Tigray, combined with the lack of an inclusive political settlement, compromises …
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Government Response Summary
The government agreed that addressing humanitarian needs and supporting a political settlement are priorities, and stated that initial consideration of reconstruction and recovery planning will commence at an early stage.
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71
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray—and the international response to it—matters on three levels.
Conclusion
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray—and the international response to it—matters on three levels. First, it matters because of the scale and harrowing nature of the suffering, with lives lost and devastated because of the conflict. The international community has a …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's broader calls for action to address the conflict, humanitarian needs, political settlement, and reconciliation, stating agreement with these goals but emphasizing that an end to fighting is a prerequisite.
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72
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Finally, it matters because the conditions—a conflict that could become protracted or could destabilise the...
Conclusion
Finally, it matters because the conditions—a conflict that could become protracted or could destabilise the region and spread, allegations of human rights abuses, gender-based violence, sexual violence, the allegations of genocide and the use of hunger as a weapon of …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's broader calls for action related to the conflict, humanitarian needs, political settlement, and reconciliation, stating agreement with these goals but emphasizing that an end to fighting is a prerequisite.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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