A CHARITY has launched an emergency appeal to help millions of people facing famine conditions in Ethiopia.
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) said that thousands of Ethiopians have been killed and more than two million people have been internally displaced following months of violence between the regional and federal government.
The charity has worked in Ethiopia for decades alongside the Catholic Church and is currently providing help in the affected Tigray region.
It said that at least five-and-a-half million people need emergency food and called on people to support its emergency appeal.
Penelope Blackwell, Sciaf director of public engagement, 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.”
The charity said that along with its partners, it is able to help those in hard-to-reach areas.
The UN recently reported that 400,000 people have “crossed the threshold into famine”, with another 1.8 million people on the brink of following them.
Pope Francis has called for an end to the fighting in Tigray and the return of social harmony. He said previously: “Let us pray together so that the violence ceases, food and health assistance is guaranteed to all, and social harmony is restored as soon as possible.”
People can donate online at www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/appeals/610-humanitarian-crisis-in-ethiopia
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