The Ethiopian region of Tigray has experienced a devastating loss of life due to starvation. According to a senior Tigray official, the number of people who have died could be even higher than the reported 1,400 since food aid was suspended in April. The World Food Program and its main donor, the U.S. government, terminated humanitarian aid to the region, and sources have informed the BBC that this decision was made due to corruption within the food and distribution system. In the face of months of hunger, individuals like Mercy Juma have been forced to beg for survival. Juma, who is pregnant and the mother of two starving daughters, has been left with no food to eat. She explains that her family received aid in November but has since been left without any support. Desperate for sustenance, they rely on the generosity of people in Shire to stay alive. The impact of the termination of food distribution has been immediate and severe. Children like Rahel, who is eight years old, suffer from malnutrition and anemia. Weighing only 10 kilograms, Rahel’s weight is comparable to that of an average one-year-old. Her single mother, caring for four malnourished children, laments the unjust treatment and greed that prevented them from receiving the aid they desperately needed. Local authorities claim to be taking action to address the crisis, acknowledging the significant loss of life due to starvation.
An investigation is underway, with approximately 492 suspects identified. The majority of those charged are individuals who worked for the local authorities and were involved in the theft of food aid. With progress being made in the investigation, efforts can now be focused on resuming food distribution. The World Food Program acknowledges the consequences of its decision to suspend aid but asserts that it was necessary to prevent further misappropriation of resources meant for those most in need. The organization is expediting its efforts to resume food aid, ensuring that the most stringent processes are in place to best serve the millions of hungry people who depend on their support. Tigray has yet to recover from the effects of a brutal civil war that took place over the past two years. Agricultural land has been abandoned, and the healthcare and food systems have been severely damaged. Many lost their lives to hunger during that time, and unfortunately, the situation remains dire. Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope, such as the healthy birth of Mercy Bates’ baby girl. However, the world she is entering is still far from being a place of stability and abundance.