By Hortabin Staff
Washington, DC – USAID, the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, announced a pause in food aid to the country after uncovering an extensive, coordinated scheme diverting donations. The decision follows a comprehensive national review, which found widespread misuse of the assistance intended for the Ethiopian populace.
The Agency stated that distribution will only resume once it is assured of the integrity of the delivery systems and the aid provided is need-based, evidence-backed, and autonomous.
This suspension comes at a difficult time for Ethiopia, suffering from a severe drought and still recuperating from a civil war that ended with a peace deal last November. The conflict, primarily between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian government, has led to massive displacement and urgent humanitarian needs, particularly among children.