Ethiopia has already expelled aid workers from two major agencies this summer after it suspended operations of Doctors Without Borders and the Dutch branch of the Norwegian Refugee Council, accusing them of inciting “rebel groups”. Was. imposed.
Most of the officers facing the eviction order on Thursday work for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The agency’s head, Martin Griffiths, accused Ethiopia of carrying out a “real blockade” of Tigre during a visit to the country this week.
“It is man-made, it can be decided by an act of government,” Mr. Griffiths said.
Food, fuel, medicine and cash are running out in Tigre, where the government has shut down internet and phone services, closed banks and cut fuel supplies. in one Briefing published on ThursdayThe Office of Humanitarian Affairs said the blockade has exacerbated food inflation, with prices of some staples rising 400 percent since June 28.
In interviews, several aid workers in Ethiopia said they feared the expulsion would affect their ability to maneuver and speak freely in the country. Aid officials declined to be identified to avoid reprisal from Ethiopian authorities.
Rick Gladstone contributed reporting from New York, and Simon Marks from Nairobi, Kenya.