The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over escalating attacks on civilians in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Tigray regions, warning that continued fighting is pushing the country’s already fragile health system closer to collapse.
In a statement, WHO said recent attacks have reportedly claimed the lives of several civilians, including children and a newborn at the Jaari 2 displacement camp in the Amhara region.
The agency also reported another deadly attack in Rama, Tigray, where several people were allegedly killed while attempting to access food.
WHO noted that drone attacks and civilian casualties have increasingly become frequent across Ethiopia, worsening the humanitarian situation in the country’s northern regions.
The violence has also severely disrupted healthcare services, with hospitals facing shortages of medical personnel, medicines and essential equipment.
Ambulance services have been significantly limited, while insecurity continues to hamper the delivery of life-saving medical supplies to some affected areas.
WHO, working alongside United Nations partners, said it is stepping up efforts to deliver additional medical supplies to the affected regions amid growing humanitarian needs.
The agency warned that continued fighting could leave more people without access to essential healthcare services, including emergency treatment, maternal and child healthcare, and treatment for various diseases.
It called for the protection of civilians and urged all parties involved in the conflict to allow health workers and humanitarian supplies safe access to communities in need.
“The most courageous choose peace. The best medicine is peace,” WHO stated.
