Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
Hitsats Hunger Debate: Aid Delivered, But Accountability Questioned
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray, particularly at the Hitsats IDP camp, has prompted sharp criticism of both federal and regional authorities over allegations of starvation and insufficient aid. Social media and diaspora reports have highlighted dire conditions, with claims of malnutrition and preventable deaths.
In response, the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) issued a detailed statement on December 24, 2025, outlining the scale of food assistance delivered to Hitsats and surrounding shelter sites. According to the Commission, over the past four months, 11,406 quintals of food commodities including wheat, sorghum, pulses, and edible oil were distributed to 14,413 residents at Hitsats. Including neighboring sites, aid reached more than 66,000 individuals from Meskerem to Tahsas, with an estimated value exceeding 257 million birr.
The Commission stressed that these distributions have been consistent and uninterrupted, and that reports suggesting otherwise are misleading. It also emphasized that the delivery of aid is managed by local and interim regional administrations, not directly by federal authorities. The EDRMC added that it would have increased support had the interim administration formally requested additional resources.
Despite these assurances, critics argue that the regional administration bears responsibility for “hiding” the extent of the crisis, effectively obscuring starvation from federal oversight. Observers suggest that gaps in reporting, bureaucratic delays, or political motivations may have prevented timely intervention, leaving civilians vulnerable despite available aid.
This tension highlights a broader challenge in Tigray: even when resources exist at federal or organizational levels, the efficiency and transparency of distribution remain critical. The debate over Hitsats underscores that delivering humanitarian aid is not only a matter of logistics or funding it also requires accountability, oversight, and public clarity to ensure assistance reaches those most in need.
The EDRMC’s statement confirms aid delivery but also shifts some responsibility to regional authorities, leaving unanswered questions about why starvation continues to be reported in some camps despite significant federal support. For many on the ground, the focus remains starkly simple: people need food today, not explanations tomorrow.
Editor’s Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in articles published by Horn News Hub are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or editorial stance of Horn News Hub. Publication does not imply endorsement.
