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Tigray: Why aid deliveries are crucial for truce success

Rebel forces fighting in northern Ethiopia have agreed to a government offer of a truce to allow aid deliveries to reach millions of people in urgent need of assistance. No aid has been delivered to the Tigray region since mid-December, with the government accused of imposing a blockade. It blames rebel forces. The TPLF rebels said they would respect the ceasefire as long as aid deliveries resume "within reasonable time".

William Davison, Senior Analyst for Ethiopia at the International Crisis Group, argues that local authorities must give permission for aid deliveries to enter Tigray for the truce to hold up, or there is a risk of conflict breaking out once more. He says he welcomes the truce announcement, and that the aid lorries are stocked up and ready to deliver aid, but so far, have not received permission to enter Tigray.

Photo: A woman with her baby queues for food, at a temporary shelter in the town of Shire, Tigray region Credit: Reuters

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