ICRC Says Oromia Region Conflict “Having A Devastating Effect On Many Communities”

Borkena 

Toronto – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Ethiopia this week said the ongoing conflict in the Oromia region of Ethiopia “is having a devastating effect on many communities, particularly those in remote areas.” 

Maternal care is severely impacted by the conflict with reports that there were cases where pregnant women died in the villages due to lack of access to health care services. 

Asiya Abdela is a resident of West Wellega, Oromia, one of the areas of the Oromia region that is severely affected by the conflict between the militant group who call themselves “Oromo Liberation Army” and the government forces.

She was at Gunfi Primary Health Care Centre this week for her parental care appointment. ICRC quoted her as saying  “In the past we have suffered a lot from lack of health services. Many pregnant women have died in our village due to lack of medicine and healthcare services.” 

The conflict in the region has been going on for over six years now in the region. The armed group is contesting the ruling Prosperity Party in the region, majority of whose leaders are from the Oromia region of Ethiopia.

Three rounds of negotiation efforts , which were organized in Tanzania in 2023, were not a success.  The civilian population in the region, particularly in the rural areas. have been suffering due to the conflict.  

Apart from the impact of the conflict in accessing health care and other essential social services, both the government and rebel forces have been committing atrocities on civilians. 

There have been recurring instances of massacres targeting ethnic Amhara civilians and followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, as has been reported by Borkena.  

Humanitarian organizations and reports have restricted access to the area. Besides, the rebel group has been engaged in extensive kidnappings in many parts of the region. 

ICRC has access to the conflict zones. “The International Committee of the Red Cross engages directly with all those involved in the fighting to ensure its teams can access the most affected communities, regardless of who they are or where they live,” the organization wrote in a recent update on its social media page. 

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