UAE airlifts 30 tonnes of food aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray region

ABU DHABI, TGO: The United Arab Emirates has sent a plane carrying 30 tonnes of food items to Mekele, in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, as part of humanitarian efforts to airlift supplies to the Tigray people.

The assistance will benefit more than 7,000 people, including 5,600 women and children. It will support the growing needs of families, especially women and children, due to the current situation.

Mohamed Salem Al Rashidi, UAE Ambassador to Ethiopia, said: “The UAE is keen to support the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region, and to meet the needs of the population in light of food shortages,” noting that these supplies align with the UAE’s humanitarian approach, to provide emergency relief to countries and its peoples in need.

He added: “The UAE has consolidated its global position in providing support and humanitarian aid. It is at the forefront of extending a helping hand, and taking swift action to provide emergency relief to countries and peoples that need it.

“These supplies come within the framework of the UAE’s continuous efforts to provide basic needs for countries and its peoples. The UAE places great value in the importance of supporting countries in need, while putting people at the top of its priorities without discrimination and without any other considerations.”

Last year, the UAE, in cooperation with the World Food Programme, sent 8 planes carrying 337 tons of relief and food items to Mekele to benefit more than 80,000 people, including 63,000 women and children. The assistance included 200 tons of vegetable oil. The region also received 18.5 tons of medical supplies, as part of global efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.