SLOVAKIA/TIGRAJ (MEKELLE): Slovak NGOs joined together in the TOGETHER FOR ETHIOPIA appeal, which is a response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigraj. The initiative of five eRko organizations - Dobrá novina, Mary's Meals Slovakia, Integra Foundation, SAVIO, Slovak Catholic Charity with the support of the Platform for Development Organizations - Umbrella aims to raise funds and support humanitarian activities that will represent direct assistance to residents affected by the war conflict.

"We are convinced that in addition to urgent humanitarian aid to the people affected by the war in the Tigray region, it is important that the international community, including Slovakia, advocates for an immediate cessation of fighting, the establishment of peace and respect for human rights, so that people can live in safety and dignity and the restoration of the region can begin as soon as possible," states the Together for Ethiopia initiative in a joint statement.

You can donate to help the residents of Tigray through the donation pages of individual organizations published on the www.spolupreetiopiu.sk initiative page in the period from 22.3. until 16.4.2021.

The number of direct casualties on the lives of the civilian population is currently unclear, mostly given in hundreds of victims. The information about military crimes against civilians that some international investigative teams recently bring is particularly worrying. As a result of fighting and violence, people fear for their lives and are forced to flee their homes, often without access to food, drinking water, medicine and without safe shelter from the impending violence. Families with children are on the run. People become displaced in their own country, they seek refuge en masse in big cities. Tens of thousands of people also fled to neighboring Sudan. The UN estimates that 4.5 million people need help in the current humanitarian crisis. Fears of an outbreak of famine and the rapid community spread of the coronavirus are growing in the region, as people flock in large numbers to makeshift camps without clean water and medical facilities.

Background of the conflict in Tigray

Long-standing tensions between the federal government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray regional administration led by the People's Liberation Front (TPLF) came to a head in September 2020 when regional elections were held in Ethiopia's Tigray region despite the opposition of the federal government.

After the attack on the military base of the federal government, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on November 4, 2020 the beginning of a military operation against the TPLF troops, and already on November 28 he declared the victory of the government troops over the rebels. However, the TPLF has declared that it is determined to continue the fighting that is still ongoing in the area. Eritrean troops also started operating in the conflict. The situation is complicated by unclear information, interrupted communication networks and limited access of humanitarian aid for civilians to the conflict region.

How a joint initiative from Slovakia can help

Representatives of the initiative call on the Slovak public to participate in humanitarian aid in the form of a financial donation. The collected funds will be earmarked for support for people affected by the conflict. They will be used to finance humanitarian aid through long-term proven local partners operating in the Tigray region, mainly in the form of provision of: food aid, drinking water, hygiene needs, basic needs (such as blankets, shelters and others). Furthermore, it will involve the provision of post-traumatic and psychological care, social work and other activities for the benefit of human victims of military conflict.

Who will implement the humanitarian aid

As part of the joint call, two local partners will provide concrete help to people in crisis. One of them is the Congregation of the Daughters of Christian Charity of St. Vincenta de Paul, who has been cooperating with Dobra novina and Mary's Meals for a long time in the Tigray region. The second is the charity organization Tearfund, a project partner of the Integra Foundation. Thanks to local partnerships, the joint initiative can ensure effective and targeted aid directly in the conflict area, specifically in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, and its wider surroundings.

More information: www.spolupreetiopiu.sk