According to a regional official, Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray area is "on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe" equal to the famine that sparked the global fundraising music event Live Aid in 1984-85.
As
stated in a sharply phrased statement, "starvation and death" loom
over the northern region.
The
federal government has denied that a famine exists.
Tigray
and the central government remained at odds until November last year.
The
fighting also disrupted agricultural life, displaced hundreds of people, and
destroyed critical infrastructure, leaving Tigray vulnerable.
Following
that, drought in some areas plus a locust infestation exacerbated the
situation, said the president of Tigray's interim administration, Getachew
Reda.
It
has now left 91% of the region's population exposed "to the risk of starvation",
according to his statement.
Mr
Getachew's administration was set up after a peace deal was agreed last year.
Local
officials had previously said hundreds of people had died of hunger in recent
months. A recent UN report described an "escalating food security
crisis" in Tigray.
In
November, the US and the UN announced they would resumed food aid to Ethiopia,
months after suspending it over allegations of theft.
The
interim administration called on Ethiopia's federal government and the
international community to intervene to save lives.
But
Ethiopia's Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission has denied reports of
famine in Ethiopia, adding the government is galvanising efforts to provide
support those affected by drought.
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