Displaced people report lack of food, water, and medical supplies

The majority of the 10 thousand people living in the Jara IDP site, situated in Habru Woreda, North Wollo Zone of the Amhara regional State, have not received any form of assistance for the past two months, the Voice of America reported.

The displaced people who sought refuge there from the ongoing ethnic attacks in the Wollega zone of the Oromia region told the radio that they are facing health problems and struggle daily to obtain food, water, and medicine. Children are compelled to beg at nearby defense forces camps, they said.

Ahmed Awel, the father of six children, states that his family has not received any kind of assistance for the past two months. Ahmed and his family lived in the Kelam Wollega Zone before arriving in Jara. He noted acute shortages of food, water, and medicine among his family and others in the camp. “They were providing us with wheat until November. Then, the zone administrators and the Food Cluster officials came and instructed us to vacate the camp promptly, advising us to prepare accordingly. Consequently, we sold our belongings,” he said. “We have been demanding assistance via telephone, and we were instructed to wait.”

Woizero Endeaweke Mola, who arrived at the camp two years ago, emphasized the critical shortage of food and water, along with the limited availability of medical supplies. “There is no aid coming and there is no distribution. our kids are going to the nearby military camp to beg for bread,” she said.

A medical professional stated that since the decision by regional authorities to facilitate their return to their hometowns, many of them are worried and distressed. “The area is characterized by its arid and hot climate, leading to health problems among its inhabitants,” the professional told VOA.

Alemu Yimer, the head of the North Wollo Zone Disaster Prevention and Food Security Office, has acknowledged the issue but said it has only been forty days since the arrival of the last aid, not two months. He said his bureau is communicating with the Regional Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commission to address the issue. He stated that they are awaiting a response.