Escalating violence in northern Ethiopia threatens health system, WHO warns

Renewed combat in northern Ethiopia is killing civilians and pushing local healthcare services to the brink of total failure.

The World Health Organization has warned that mounting clashes and attacks in northern Ethiopia are resulting in civilian deaths and leaving healthcare services on the verge of breakdown. Recent combat between Tigrayan forces and federal troops has broken the ceasefire reached in late 2022. The health agency warned that medical infrastructure is severely compromised, placing vulnerable populations in critical danger.

• Peace agreement shatteredFresh fighting between forces from Tigray and the Ethiopian federal government has undone the truce signed in 2022.
• Medical care compromisedContinuing strikes and ground clashes have left hospitals struggling to operate and disrupted life-saving treatments.