World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has raised deep concern over mounting civilian casualties and the rapid deterioration of health infrastructure in northern Ethiopia following fresh attacks in the Amhara and Tigray regions.
Reports indicate horrifying incidents in civilian zones, including an attack on the Jaari 2 displacement camp in Amhara, where children and a newborn were among those killed. In a separate strike in Rama, Tigray, several individuals lost their lives while attempting to access emergency food aid.
Dr Tedros described the recent wave of violence as part of a wider, alarming pattern across the country, highlighting that frequent drone strikes continue to claim innocent lives and destabilise vulnerable communities.
The ongoing hostilities are driving northern Ethiopia’s fragile healthcare network to the brink of total collapse. Hospitals across the affected regions are suffering severe shortages of essential medicines, medical equipment, and qualified health personnel. Emergency services have been crippled, with ambulance operations restricted due to widespread insecurity that actively blocks the delivery of critical aid.
Despite the volatility, the WHO and United Nations partner agencies are working tirelessly to dispatch additional emergency medical consignments to the affected areas. However, international relief teams warn that prolonged fighting will inevitably sever access to life-saving healthcare, particularly emergency care, maternal and child services, and routine disease treatments.
Emphasising the urgent need for humanitarian access and a cessation of hostilities, the WHO chief appealed for the immediate protection of civilians and aid personnel.
“Civilians must be protected. Health workers and humanitarian supplies must be allowed to reach those in need. The most courageous choose peace. The best medicine is peace,” Dr Tedros stated.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana