Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further (1) to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, and (2) to reports that there have been difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to that region, what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about ensuring that (a) aid is delivered, and (b) humanitarian assistance is accessible, in Tigray.

We support the assessment reports by the two joint UN and Government of Ethiopia assessment missions to Tigray that have taken place, noting that these were limited. The UK continues to call for sustained, free and unfettered access to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance in Tigray. The UK is working closely with humanitarian organisations to make sure aid reaches civilians affected by the fighting. The Foreign Secretary visited Gondar in neighbouring Amhara region on 22 January to see response coordination. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are working hard to deliver support in challenging circumstances, including shelter, water and healthcare.

We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it, including to civilians in contested areas.