The UN says armed groups involved in the war in Ethiopia stole 12 trucks of fuel from the World Food Program warehouse in Mekelle, capital of Tigray region.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, told journalists in New York that the Tigrean forces , in the morning of August 24, “forcefully entered” World Food Programme Warehouse in Mekelle and “stole” 12 track tankers of oil ( 570,000 liters).
“These stocks of fuel would be used solely for humanitarian purposes with the distribution of food, fertilizers and other emergency relief items,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the “loss of fuel will impact humanitarian operations. ”
The U.N has condemned “looting or confiscation of humanitarian goods on humanitarian premises.”
The team on the ground unsuccessfully tried to prevent this looting, Spokesperson of the Secretary said.
“These fuel stocks were to be used solely for humanitarian purposes, for the distribution of food, fertilizer and other emergency relief items. This loss of fuel will impact humanitarian operations supporting communities in Northern Ethiopia.”
He demanded the return of the fuel.
The report of looting comes against the backdrop of renewed fighting in Tigray where federal forces have been engaging rebels of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
MG/as/APA