Humanitarian aid | Business Upturn

Ethiopia: Tigray suffering from famine, restricted humanitarian aid

Aayushi Singh — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 10:11:16 +0000

A top United Nations official said that over 400,000 people in Ethiopia’s Tigray were suffering famine and 1.8 million others were on the brink due to the eight-month conflict, where humanitarian access was extremely restricted.

In the first public meet on the crisis, the members of the UN Security Council said that 33,000 children were severely malnourished. The UN also warned about further clashes despite the declaration of a ceasefire.

The Ethiopian government had declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday, the government that had been fighting the regional forces in Tigray. On Monday, the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Ethiopian government was dismissed as a joke by the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front).

Ramesh Rajasingham, the acting UN aid chief said to the council that the humanitarian situation in Tigray was worsened dramatically in recent weeks. He added that two million people were still displaced and required humanitarian assistance where the majority of people were women and children, due to the conflict there has been an alarming rise in food insecurity and hunger.

However, rebels vowed to drive their “enemies” from the region and there have been reports of sporadic clashes as pressure builds internationally for all sides in the conflict to pull back.

On Friday, Ramesh Rajasingham told the members of the security council that the situation in Tigray had deteriorated in the recent weeks.

However, the Ethiopian government had denied allegations that it had blocked aid after the Tigrayan rebels took control of much of the northern region this week earlier.

Addis Ababa, the Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi, said that the security situation in Tigray was complex and fluid, and the Tigrayan fighters would continue to gain the ground while the central government and Eritrean forces were withdrawing, and where the Ambara fighters said that they would not leave, whereas the civilians were suffering and suppressed in between.

In November last year, the fight began when the rebels rejected political reforms and had captured the army bases while the Government forces captured Mekelle a month later.

The rebels took over Mekelle and entered the town of the shire.

‘I hope I’ve done something to deserve this,’ Sonu Sood on being honored By SpiceJet by painting his face on an aircraft

Mahesh Sharma — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 07:21:43 +0000

SpiceJet has devoted a special aircraft livery to actor Sonu Sood in recognition of his humanitarian efforts to help stranded migrant workers return home during last year’s coronavirus crisis. Their post has now gained a lot of attraction, prompting people to leave all kinds of comments. The actor, too, responded to the airlines’ gesture with an emotional tweet.

“The phenomenally-talented @SonuSood has been a messiah to lakhs of Indians during the pandemic, helping them reunite with their loved ones, feed their families and more,” they wrote while sharing a video showcasing the aircraft livery.

https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1372921262893277186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1372921262893277186%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Ftrending%2Fspicejet-honours-sonu-sood-with-special-aircraft-livery-actor-responds-101616246793506.html

Sonu Sood recalls arriving in Mumbai without the money to purchase an airline ticket.“I remember coming from my home town Moga in Punjab to Mumbai in train without reservation. In the middle of the night when I was sitting in a corner of that train a man came to me and said, ‘Mumbai is not an easy city to live in.’ I remember telling him, ‘I am going to Mumbai with my parents’ blessings. I will make it happen.’ When today this happens I believe my parents’ prayers did the trick.”

Remember coming from Moga to Mumbai on an unreserved ticket.
Thank you everyone for all the love. Miss my parents more. @flyspicejet pic.twitter.com/MYipwwYReG

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) March 20, 2021

Sonu Sood longs for his parents’ presence, especially in these triumphant moments. “I’m hoping they’re paying attention. I want them to understand that it is only because of them that this is happening. They are the angels who guide me.

US to withdraw terrorist designation for the Houthi movement in Yemen

Sanah Shah — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 07:14:35 +0000

The United States said on Friday 5th February 2021 that it intends to repeal the terrorist designation for Yemen’s Houthi movement due to the country’s humanitarian crisis, correcting one of the most criticized hasty decisions of the Trump administration.

The reversal has been confirmed by a State Department official. It comes a day after President Joe Biden announced that U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led military campaign in Yemen will be withdrawn, widely seen as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The official stated, “Our action is due entirely to the humanitarian consequences of this last-minute designation from the prior administration, which the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have since made clear would accelerate the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”

The United Nations has said that Yemen is the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, with 80% of its people in distress.

“We welcome the stated intention by the U.S. administration to revoke the designation as it will provide profound relief to millions of Yemenis who rely on humanitarian assistance and commercial imports to meet their basic survival needs,” said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blacklisted the Houthis on 19th January, a day before Biden’s inauguration.

The Trump administration excluded aid groups, the United Nations, the Red Cross and the export of agricultural commodities, medicine and medical devices from its appointment. But U.N. officials and relief groups said the cuts were not sufficient and called for the designation to be cancelled.

Trump and Macron discuss sending aid to Lebanon over phone, conference call to be held on Sunday

Nivedya P T — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 10:27:40 +0000

U.S President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron spoke over the phone on Friday about sending aid to Lebanon in the aftermath of the major explosions which took place in the port at Beirut on Tuesday this week.

The two leaders “expressed their deep sadness over the loss of life and devastation in Beirut,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

Many countries have already poured in their support for Lebanon immediately after the disaster.

France had sent three planes with medical supplies, health equipment, and humanitarian teams. Large U.S aircraft with supplies and personnel were also sent aid Lebanon.

The U.S Agency for International Development on Friday said that it will provide more than $15 million in assistance, including food aid for 50,000 people for three months. Medical supplies and pharmaceutical supplies have also been extended by the U.S to help Lebanon which is under huge crisis due to a shortage of food and other supplies.

Trump also said on Twitter that a conference call will be held on Sunday with President Macron, leaders of Lebanon, and other Leaders from around the world to discuss aid to Lebanon.

Had a lengthy discussion this morning with President Macron of France concerning numerous subjects, but in particular the catastrophic event which took place in Beirut, Lebanon…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2020

President Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut on Thursday and offered France’s support for the Lebanese people. He also announced that France would organize an international aid conference to raise emergency relief funds and assured the people that aid to rebuild the city would not go to “corrupt hands”

The blast had taken the lives of more than 150 people, injured over 5,000, and caused immense destruction of property in the entire region. The cause of the blast is under investigation.