Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-02-12 12:18:00
Thousands of individuals displaced from the Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz regions and currently taking shelter at the Jara IDP center in the North Wollo Zone of the Amhara region are facing a critical food shortage that has persisted for over two months. This dire situation was highlighted by a peaceful demonstration by the IDPs last week.
The IDPs used to receive a monthly ration of 15 kilograms of wheat flour and half a liter of oil per person at the Jara IDP center. However, it has been over two months since they last received their ration, pushing them to the brink of starvation. Alemu Yimer, the head of the North Wollo Disaster Prevention and Food Security Office, acknowledged the food shortage and revealed that the district has notified regional authorities. He also assured that humanitarian aid is anticipated to arrive this week to alleviate the crisis.
However, the displaced individuals have characterized the situation as critical and urgent. For example, Selati Alemu, a 61-year-old father of four who was displaced from the Kiremu district in the East Wollega Zone two years ago, emphasized the urgency of the circumstances. His wife, who suffers from tuberculosis, requires nutritious food and proper medical treatment, both of which are currently unavailable due to the food shortage. He appealed for prompt government intervention, emphasizing the potentially dire consequences if aid is not delivered promptly.
In addition, Ahmed Awel, another displaced individual from East Wollega, underscored the pervasive suffering experienced by IDPs, which includes children, pregnant women, and the elderly. He called for an urgent response from concerned entities, particularly the government, to address the perilous situation.
The distress of the displaced individuals at the Jara center was further compounded by a recent directive from local authorities demanding their prompt evacuation, introducing a new layer of uncertainty for these vulnerable individuals already grappling with the ongoing conflict in the Oromia region. Alemu addressed the matter of repatriating IDPs to their homes, indicating that the Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission is overseeing the situation and that assessment teams will be dispatched to the area for a comprehensive evaluation.
Since 2018, over 10,000 individuals have sought refuge at the Jara camp, fleeing conflicts in various zones of the Oromia region. This explains why the situation at the Jara IDP center has drawn significant attention, as thousands of displaced individuals are in urgent need of food assistance. The humanitarian crisis in this center underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response from local, regional, and national authorities to provide the necessary aid and support to the displaced individuals. It is crucial to address the immediate food shortage and collaborate on sustainable, long-term solutions for the wellbeing of the displaced individuals at the Jara IDP center.
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