In a shocking turn of events, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has taken decisive action by suspending all food aid to Ethiopia, following the revelation of a widespread diversion scandal. The internal investigation conducted by USAID has exposed an alarming misdirection of donated food, originally intended to alleviate hunger among millions of people in the country.
USAID officials have revealed evidence of collusion among various parties involved in the government conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Although the responsible individuals or entities have not been explicitly named, USAID describes the diversion as pervasive, with involvement from both sides of the conflict.
The ramifications of this food aid theft are deeply concerning, as Ethiopia heavily relies on international assistance to support around 20 million people affected by conflicts and drought. In the previous fiscal year, the United States, as the largest donor, contributed a substantial $1.8 billion in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia.
While food aid has been suspended, USAID remains committed to providing alternative forms of assistance, such as feeding programs for malnourished children. The agency is determined to resume food assistance as soon as the integrity of delivery systems can be ensured and further diversions prevented.
The investigation continues to examine the extent of government involvement, with an internal memo from a group of humanitarian donors suggesting a significant role played by Ethiopia’s federal government in the food aid diversion. Allegedly, government entities orchestrated the scheme, enabling military units across the country to benefit from the misappropriation of vital humanitarian resources.
In response to these revelations, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern and a commitment to collaborating with the United States in holding the responsible parties accountable. The ministry has also pledged to implement necessary reforms to safeguard future aid from such theft.
The suspension of food aid in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which recently emerged from a devastating two-year conflict, has intensified the dire circumstances. Disturbing reports from doctors highlight a significant rise in hunger, particularly affecting children. Cases of child malnutrition have surged alarmingly, and hospitals have tragically reported child fatalities resulting from acute malnutrition caused by the scarcity of food.
Given the ongoing investigation and the urgent need to address the systemic failure in detecting aid diversion, USAID officials acknowledge the necessity of transparency and the implementation of additional safeguards. In a bid to assess the situation and address the allegations, the acting U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia and the U.S. special envoy to the Horn of Africa have visited the Tigray region, engaging with local authorities.
The suspension of food aid in Ethiopia underscores the pressing need for accountability, comprehensive reforms, and the restoration of a robust aid delivery system to meet the critical humanitarian needs across the country.
