{"id":1986,"date":"2022-08-25T17:45:34","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T17:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/ethiopia-massive-fuel-theft-puts-wfp-operations-in-tigray-at-risk\/"},"modified":"2022-08-25T17:45:34","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T17:45:34","slug":"ethiopia-massive-fuel-theft-puts-wfp-operations-in-tigray-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=1986","title":{"rendered":"Ethiopia: Massive fuel theft puts WFP operations in Tigray at risk |"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Armed men entered the WFP compound in the regional capital, Mekelle, on Wednesday and seized 12 tankers filled with fuel<\/strong>, which had recently been purchased. \u00a0The supply had only arrived a few days earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hours ago, Tigrayan authorities stole 570,000 liters of fuel for @WFP<\/a> operations in #Tigray<\/a>! Millions will starve if we do not have fuel to deliver food. This is OUTRAGEOUS and DISGRACEFUL. We demand return of this fuel NOW.<\/p>\n

\u2014 David Beasley (@WFPChief) August 24, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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David Beasley, the WFP Executive Director, issued a statement condemning the theft, which occurred as fighting has resumed between Ethiopian forces and separatists following a five-month humanitarian truce.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Closer to starvation\u00a0<\/h2>\n

It now will be impossible for WFP to distribute food, fertilizer, medicines and other emergency supplies across Tigray, where an estimated 5.2 million people<\/strong> face severe hunger. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe loss of this fuel will push communities in Tigray, already struggling with the impacts of the conflict, further towards the brink of starvation<\/strong>,\u201d said Mr. Beasley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WFP also will be prevented from powering generators and vehicles, critical for staff and humanitarian partners supporting vulnerable populations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe demand the Tigrayan authorities return these fuel stocks to the humanitarian community immediately. \u202fAs the next harvest is not until October, our deliveries of life-saving food could not be more urgent or critical to the survival of millions,\u201d said Mr. Beasley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WFP are working around the clock to get assistance to those most in need, he added, \u201cbut we need fuel, funding, and full movement of supplies<\/strong> across the lines of control to maximise deliveries across Northern Ethiopia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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WFP Ethiopia<\/span><\/p>\n

WFP convoy trucks delivering food and nutrition supplies to Adi Harush, Mai Aini, Mekelle and Shire in Tigray, Ethiopia.<\/span><\/p>\n

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