The United Nations has not directly condemned the destructive actions of that organization, which exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation in Afar, Amhara and Tigray, mainly, National Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Mitiku Kassa said.

I should take a transparent position about this issue, he said, and openly criticize it for using food as a weapon of war, after blocking aid to people under the Safety Net Program.

We call on the United Nations to cooperate with the Government in supporting more than eight million people with food insecure following the group’s invasions in Afar and Amhara, he said.

During a news conference with Catherine Sozi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Kassa outlined the Government’s efforts to ensure the arrival of food and other basic products to the affected areas.

Since June, the Government has significantly reduced checkpoint operations, increased visa extensions, approved more travel, used communication equipment and allowed access to cash, he said.

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