The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Babar Baloch, has expressed the international organization's grave concern over the fate of thousands of Eritrean refugees who are currently trapped in two refugee camps in Ethiopia's Tigray region, with the escalation of fighting between armed groups in and around the camps.
In a press conference today, Tuesday, in Geneva, Baloch said that an estimated 24,000 Eritrean refugees in Mai Ini and Haroch Valley camps in Tigray face intimidation and harassment and live in constant fear, cut off from humanitarian aid.
He added that UNHCR had received disturbing and credible reports in recent days from Mai Aini camp, about the killing of refugees at the hands of armed elements operating inside the camp, calling on all parties to the conflict to fulfill their obligations under international law, including respecting the civilian character, of refugee camps and the rights of refugees and all civilians in Protection from hostilities.
He pointed out that UNHCR teams have lost all access to refugee camps during the past two weeks, and that the besieged refugees need urgent help to save their lives, especially since the last food distribution to them was in late June, when food rations were provided for one month, pointing out that The recent armed clashes have led to the displacement of thousands of people, in the Afar region, adjacent to Tigray to the east, where there are an additional 55,000 Eritrean refugees, while armed confrontations were reported near where they live.
He cautioned that humanitarian supplies have been stuck since July 18 due to the closure of the main humanitarian supply route, adding, "The international organization urges all parties to the conflict to provide immediate access to humanitarian aid and provide safety for relief workers, who are trying to provide life-saving assistance."
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