More than 5m people need emergency supplies

A Scots charity has launched an emergency appeal to help millions in Ethiopia in need of food and assistance.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has worked in Ethiopia for decades alongside the Catholic Church and is currently providing help in the affected Tigray region.

While other charities have struggled to access this area, the Scottish charity and its partners are able to help those in hard to reach areas and provides food, shelter, clean water, medical support and other essentials.

Following months of violence between the regional and federal government, thousands of Ethiopians have been killed and more than two million people have been internally displaced.

At least five and a half million people – more than the population of Scotland – require emergency food.

Earlier this month, the UN stated 350,000 people, almost a tenth of whom are children (30,000), are facing hunger and death.  

Penelope Blackwell, director of public engagement, SCIAF, said: “Two years ago, I was in Tigray. Back then it was peaceful and prosperous, and I was visiting SCIAF’s successful projects. But since November 2020, this region in Ethiopia has been engulfed in conflict that has destroyed the progress we had seen.

“While many charities have struggled to access and start work in Tigray, SCIAF has been there since day one. We have worked in the region for decades alongside the Catholic Church. We can reach those in need and are asking for donations to help us do this as quickly as possible.

“With your donations, we will provide food, shelter, clean water, medical support and other essentials for families who have lost everything. And we hope we can help the region rebuild as soon as possible.”