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(Dec 13, 2023 Tigrai Television –Mekelle) On December 12, the Global Society of Tigrain Scholars and Professionals wrote an urgent appeal to swiftly intervene and mitigate to what it called the dire famine and hunger in Tigray. Considering the ‘’burgeoning famine’’ in Tigray, the society calls for deployment of mechanisms to avert the devastating catastrophe that continues to claim the lives of survivors of the over two-year-long genocidal war, brutal siege and humanitarian blockade.
GSTS also requests for urgent independent assessment of the current starvation, undernutrition and famine in Tigray and risks of escalating vulnerabilities. The society urges for immediate and complete lifting of the protracted pause on food aid and rapid expansion to meet the extensive emergency food and nutrition needs in Tigray. The society also called for immediate resumption of Productive Safety Net Program to rebuild pillaged livelihood assets. The scholars association stated the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement had given hope for 90% (6.5 million) of the population who were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. But, failure in implementation of the critical stipulations has worsened the situation in the region as deliveries started late and in much lower quantity than what was needed. The society also stated the suspension of assistance by aid agencies had a devastating impact on millions of starved and displaced Tigrayans.
GSTS stated recent reports revealing severe malnutrition among children, pregnant women, the elderly and other vulnerable demand immediate intervention and action. The society thus appeals world leaders and the humanitarian agencies to prioritize humanity and also practically apply the “No One Left Behind” motto of the #UN and act early to avert full-blown catastrophe in the region. The Global Society of Tigrayan Scholars and Professionals recalled that Ghent University had, on March 2022, revealed a study that showed that the war in Tigray had claimed the lives of more than 600,000 people, of which over 100,000-200,000 died from starvation and hunger. GSTS also stated the Parameters for Famine have been met in Tigray since July 2021 when the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) put many parts of Tigray at level 5 with a high risk of famine. The society also expressed its commitment to working together with all parties to provide data and information.
