Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of reports that the government of Ethiopia has denied unfettered access to aid agencies and development workers to regions where humanitarian aid is needed; and what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about the impact of any such actions on (1) citizens in areas affected by conflict, (2) the humanitarian crisis, and (3) the continuation of the provision of Official Development Assistance to that country.

We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and delivery of humanitarian support to those who need it including to civilians in contested areas in line with the guiding humanitarian principles laid down by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Two joint UN and Government of Ethiopia assessment missions to Tigray have taken place with assessment reports expected soon.

The UK has been at the forefront, liaising closely with the United Nations (UN) and partners, in calling for sustained, free and unfettered humanitarian access across Tigray. We continue to press for the supply of humanitarian assistance to all those who need it, including in the recent December visit by the Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs.

We have assessed the appropriateness of UKAid programmes in Ethiopia in light of the developments of the Tigray conflict. We are clear that our priority is supporting Ethiopians in need and we continue to support critical services including health, nutrition, education, food security and water, the COVID-19 response and humanitarian needs across the country.