APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that it will resume essential food assistance in Ethiopia as of next month.
USAID said the decision to resume the humanitarian aid follows the comprehensive reforms implemented by the Ethiopian government and humanitarian partners.
USAID suspended all food aid six months ago due to evidence of widespread diversion, which was depriving vulnerable communities in Ethiopia’s Tigray of crucial relief.
Along with USAID, the World Food Program (WFP) also halted the provision of humanitarian assistance in May 2023 due to alleged reports of aid diversion.
Later in June, both the organizations announced the suspension of food aid distribution across Ethiopia after a country-wide review.
An investigation by USAID’s Inspector General revealed that food supplies intended for famine-affected populations in Tigray were being diverted and sold for profit.
As a result, USAID immediately halted all assistance to the region and conducted a thorough program review to establish rigorous oversight of aid distributions.
Food distributions were temporarily suspended until accountability mechanisms could be strengthened.
According to the statement issued by USAID, the humanitarian agency has been working closely with humanitarian partners and the Ethiopian government to develop and implement comprehensive reforms to the nationwide food aid systems.
Key changes agreed upon include improved monitoring of distributions from their source to destination, enhanced commodity tracking, reformed beneficiary identification processes, and strengthened vulnerability assessment standards.
MG/as/APA