Switzerland pledge money to help victims of Ethiopia violence
People who fled the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region stand on a hill top overlooking a refugee camp in eastern Sudan (picture from Thursday)
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Switzerland has allocated CHF2 million ($2.21 million) for humanitarian aid in the violence-hit Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. It has called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
This content was published on
2 minutes
FDFA/Reuters/ilj
Since November 4, 2020, clashes in northern Ethiopia have exacerbated the already precarious situation in the region, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said on Friday evening.External link
The crisis has also affected neighbouring Sudan where more than 40,000 refugees have arrived.
Keystone
The CHF2 million will go to support the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund, as well as United Nations’ food and refugee operations in Sudan. The funding will come through the Swiss authorities’ Humanitarian Aid Unit.
“Switzerland reiterates its appeal to all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law. The protection of the civilian population and the facilitation of rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid for all parties to the conflict are of paramount importance,” the statement said.
“Finally, the FDFA calls for a transparent and impartial investigation of all alleged violations of international law in connection with the conflict.”
Tension
After months of tension between the Ethiopian government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the government recently launched an offensive against the armed group and the ruling party of Tigray.
Thousands of people are already believed to have been killed following air strikes and ground fighting. The UN estimates 1.1 million Ethiopians will need aid as a result of the conflict.
African peace envoys met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday, a day after he said that the military was beginning the “final phase” of an offensive in the region of Tigray.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland calls for de-escalation and dialogue in Ethiopia
This content was published on
Switzerland has expressed its concern about developments in Ethiopia, calling for a de-escalation of violence and a return to dialogue.
Ethiopians rally in Bern to protest deportation deal
This content was published on
In April, for the first time in five years, Ethiopia announced it was ready to receive back citizens whose asylum applications in Switzerland had been rejected. This policy change is an outcome of an agreement between the African state and the EU. To be readmitted, the persons concerned must be recognised as Ethiopian nationals. If they…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.