Addis Ababa, December 25, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam stated today that the "Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)" has maintained its longstanding habit of using hunger as a tool for political purposes.
During an exclusive conversation with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), the Commissioner mentioned that the "TPLF" is circulating misleading information suggesting that individuals who were forced to leave their homes in the Tigray region have not received aid.
He further stated that this approach exemplifies a recurring trend from the group's past of turning humanitarian emergencies into political issues.
Perhaps most significantly, Shiferaw offered historical background regarding how the unlawful organization, "TPLF," frequently used stories of hunger to further political goals.
As stated by the Commissioner, the politicization of food shortages in northern Ethiopia traces back to the 1970s and 1980s, during which famine was utilized by "TPLF" not as an issue of aid but as a strategic tool to support their military campaign against the Derg regime.
Throughout this time, human hardship was intentionally presented to generate global compassion, draw assistance, and enhance the credibility of rebel groups, as aid distribution frequently overlapped with political and armed systems.
New assertions regarding the "starvation" at the Hitsatse emergency camp in Asgede Woreda continue along a well-known trend, with “TPLF” -outlets aligned with specific groups, diaspora websites, and online platforms showcasing neglect and scarcity through touching pictures and unsubstantiated accounts of fatalities.
Shiferaw explained that support has been offered following global benchmarks within every ethnic group in Ethiopia.
As part of this initiative, every individual in need gets 15 kilograms of grains, 1.5 kilograms of legumes, and 0.45 kilograms of cooking oil each month—amounting to a total of 16.9 kilograms per person, which is then calculated based on the size of the household.
As such, a cumulative amount of 2 million metric tons of humanitarian assistance worth 32 billion Birr was provided in the Tigray region between January and December 2025.
Referencing this, the Commissioner criticized the Regional Interim Administration and the "TPLF" for their disgraceful actions that undermine the public and attempt to deflect responsibility.
Although humanitarian assistance keeps arriving in the area continuously, Shiferaw voiced significant doubt regarding whether it is being utilized exclusively for its designated aim.
As a result, he demanded an urgent inquiry regarding the 32 billion Birr in humanitarian relief materials dispatched to the area to ascertain their utilization.
"Within this framework, I call upon the Federal Government and all humanitarian partners to inquire: 'Where have the 2 million metric tons and the 32 billion Birr (transferred in 2025) gone? What became of these funds?' Such inquiries are essential to reveal the facts and put an end to the continuous uncertainty," emphasized the Commissioner.
He further urged the global community to exercise caution regarding the unlawful "TPLF" organization, advising them not to fall prey to its strategy of using famine for inexpensive political advantages and drawing worldwide focus.
Following the loss of federal authority in 2018, the "TPLF" has progressively moved its approach beyond national politics into global platforms for promotion, according to various analysts.
The new accusations regarding the Hitsatse emergency refuge align with this long-standing trend, emphasized Shiferaw.
The ENA has noted that social media content, websites targeting the diaspora, and publications aligned with "TPLF" depict the circumstances as ones of neglect, food shortages, and decreasing support, frequently featuring emotional visuals, urgent calls for help, and assertions about fatalities caused by lack of nourishment.
The head of Ethiopia's Disaster Risk Management office strongly denied the allegations, asserting that humanitarian food aid at Hitsatse and other shelters has been fully provided without interruption.
The allocation of food has taken place all year long, with ongoing support offered regularly.
Posting Komentar