UN seek to ship aid to Tigray region

By Nathan Morley

Over the last few weeks, thousands have died and more than 40,000 refugees have fled to Sudan.

According to the UN, an assessment mission for aid deliveries is underway, but there has been no confirmation from the Ethiopian government in Addis Ababa.

However, news agencies are reporting the UN will have unimpeded access to deliver aid to the government-held areas of Tigray.

Reports suggest the medical supplies and food are in short supply in the region, which is home to millions of people.

"We are of course working to make sure assistance will be provided in the whole region and for every single person who needs it," UN humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu told the Associated Press.

Over the weekend military operations in the Tigray region were completed and ceased, with the country’s army chief saying that government forces completely controlled the regional capital, Mekelle.

For weeks the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had vowed the military would bring an end to the fighting in the region and remove its leadership, which his government regards as illegal.