By Hannatu Sadiq
Ethiopia’s government has suspended the operations of two international aid organisations working in the northern Tigray region affected by a ten-month conflict
Medicins Sans Frontières (MSF) says activities by its Dutch section had been stopped in Tigray and three other regions, while the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said their operations across the country had been affected.
The government says the aid groups were suspended on the basis of disseminating misinformation outside of their mandate and employing foreign nationals who do not have appropriate work permits.
The aid organisations who have reported major challenges in delivering emergency relief to Tigray said that these suspensions will likely add a further strain to the humanitarian efforts.
The NRC supports nearly 600,000 people in Ethiopia.
The two organizations have previously voiced their concerns about the lack of emergency assistance reaching Tigray.
The MSF says other sections will continue to operate in Tigray and other parts of the country excluding its Dutch section which has been suspended.
