Edit: Ahmed Al-Kumi

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, called on the parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia to display a spirit of humanity as fighting rages there, compounding the suffering of the families that have been at war for almost a year.

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in his statement today, following the conclusion of a three-day visit to Ethiopia. - The conflict in Tigray and surrounding areas had hampered the supply of basic commodities and paralysed the health system, depriving the population of the basic necessities they needed to survive. More vulnerable families could not secure their daily strength or access to a medical facility, and he warned that lives were at risk while many might face long-lasting health consequences.

Peter Maurer continued that hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the fighting live in dismal conditions, sleep in overcrowded shelters, schools or in the open and suffer severe shortages.

In water, food, money, fuel and energy, he stressed that fighting, insecurity and restrictions prevented humanitarian access and in some of the most affected areas.

From the conflict, critical medical supplies cannot be delivered, putting hospitals and medical centers under enormous pressure.