APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Ethiopian government has accused the US government’s humanitarian agency, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of defaming its good image.
Ethiopia’s Minister Government Communication Service told state run media that the USAID released statements that defamed the good image of the federal government, regional administrations as well as the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) over diversion of food aid that was supposed to reach conflict affected people in northern Ethiopia.
Tulu blamed USAID for releasing reports on the “massive food aid theft” without communicating concerned government offices and prior notice.
Tulu also accused the aid agencies of making a political decision that punishes millions of Ethiopians who are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
On Saturday, the ENDF released a statement denying its forces are involved in theft of food aid in the country.
The counter accusations come a few days after the USAID and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced that they were “temporarily” suspending food aid deliveries in Ethiopia citing reports of massive diversion of food aid by Ethiopian government entities.
WFP estimates around one fifth of Ethiopia’s estimated 110 million plus population is currently in need of emergency food aid.
MG/abj/APA