On behalf of the humanitarian community in Ethiopia, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Mr. Steven Were Omamo, strongly condemns the killing of two aid workers.
The two aid workers are killed after unidentified men attacked an NGO vehicle in Gambella region on 5 September 2019, according to the statement from the UN agency in charge of coordinating aid activities – UNOCHA. The statement stated that aid workers were supporting a stabilization center, which provides emergency nutritional support for complicated cases of acute malnutrition in a refugee camp in the area.
“I strongly condemn any attack on humanitarian workers bringing much needed humanitarian assistance to people in need in Ethiopia. Attacks on aid workers in clearly marked humanitarian aid vehicles constitute a violation of International Humanitarian Law”.
“I ask the Government of Ethiopia to secure the areas with humanitarian operations and ensure the safety of aid workers. I am confident that Ethiopian authorities will arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families, colleagues and friends of these brave and dedicated aid workers, who were selflessly committed to humanitarian work in Ethiopia,” said Mr. Omamo