UN, Ethiopia agree on plan to send aid to eastern areas

The United Nations today announced plans with the Government of Ethiopia aimed at ensuring that much needed emergency relief food, medicines and other assistance reach the country's Somali Regional State.

“The Ethiopian Government has assured the UN that humanitarian activities within Somali region will be unrestricted,” said Fidele Sarassoro, UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative. “These developments are very good news for the people of the region.”

Under the plan, Ethiopia's Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Agency will establish joint support centers in the most affected areas of the region to facilitate the logistics of bringing relief food, medicine, veterinary services and livelihoods help there.

In August, the UN announced plans to send an assessment mission to Ethiopia's Somali Regional State to determine humanitarian needs in the light of “security operations” in the area.