The Tigray Emergency Coordination Center has released its bi-weekly update on conditions in Tigray. This update reports some improvement in facilitating IDP returns, but much needed progress in food security, health, protection, and agriculture appears to be frozen. There is no update from the nutritional cluster in this report, which is alarming given the suspension of food assistance. The update opens with a note on IDP returnees, which have totaled 94,685. This is positive news, but with the UN continuing to suppress important information about the status of IDPs and returnees it is impossible to know how this affects the overall situation in Tigray.
Cluster Reports: Food Cluster
- No meaningful change from the previous report. Food distribution is still suspended with no update on when it will resume.
- Improvements to distribution system still planned with no real update on progress.
- Food Cluster advocates for the “removal of informal taxation along main trade corridors,” but does not indicate who is collecting the tax.
- Notes that local partners have been working tirelessly to mobilize resources for food distribution.
- Notes that more than 55 days have passed since the “main food partners temporarily paused food assistance activities.” (DB Note: It has been 77 days.)
Cluster Reports: Logistics Cluster
- Only 18 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered Tigray from June 02-15. None carrying food or agricultural supplies. This brings the total for May and June to 51 trucks.
- It is possible that trucks are not being reported.
Cluster Reports: Education Cluster
- Only 1,377 schools have resumed service because 552 schools are in areas “occupied by armed groups from outside the region,” and 110 are still being used as shelters by IDPs.
- Many of the schools in service are operating in unconducive and unsafe environments.
- Education services are severely underfunding with significant gaps in essential learning supplies.
- Cumulative target for school feeding is 174K, which was only 0.3% met.
- Cumulative target for girls reached with MHM/sanitary supplies is 30K, which was only 0.3% met.
Cluster Reports: Agriculture Cluster
- Reported arable land planted: Southern Zone (28.6%), Southeastern (30.2%), Eastern (41%), Central (25%), Northwestern (29.1%).
- Reports 26% of land surveyed infested by Army Worms.
- Appears to show improvement towards closing the gap in seeds and fertilizer, though the distribution listed in the “Key Challenges” remains 18% for fertilizer and 12% for seeds.
Cluster Reports: Health Cluster
- 50 Children are being treated for medical complications due to SAM. (DB Note: Total number treated for SAM is generally found in the nutrition cluster update, which is absent from this report.)
- Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity, followed by URTIs. This suggests a possible COVID outbreak.
- Medical workers went on strike in Suhul General Hospital in Shire due to lack of pay and extended hours. Hospital services no longer available 24 hours.
- Shortages remain the same as previous: salary for healthcare workers, medicine and medical equipment, lab machines and reagents.
Cluster Reports: Emergency Shelter and NFI Cluster
- IOM has completed maintenance on 52 occupied and 35 unoccupied shelters in Mekelle. Work has stopped on unoccupied shelters due to looting.
- Situation in Endabaguna remains unchanged, with some cash-for-rent funds distributed. Partners continue to search for alternatives.
- Storms and winds continue to damage shelters, with some repairs conducted in Shire and Adwa.
- IDPs have been ordered to vacate schools in Adwa, Adi Daero, Adi Nebrid with no alternative shelter.
- Damage and loss assessments being conducted in Northwestern and Central zones
Cluster Reports: Protection Cluster
- Cash distributed to 250 GBV survivors in Mekelle and cloth to 595 GBV survivors in Abyi Adi Town.
- NFI distributed to 60 detainees released from Awash prison in Afar.
- Food suspension is “severely impacting” IDPs, people with specific medical needs, chronically ill, and persons with disabilities.
- Lack of medical supplies critically affecting people with chronic conditions as well as PLW at IDP sites.
- Food scarcity is exposing people to survival sex, unintended pregnancy, and STI/HIV.
Summary done by Duke Burbridge
