Médecins Sans Frontières and Norwegian Refugee Council in Talks with Government Over Ban
The Ethiopian government has suspended the activities of two prominent international aid organizations, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), accusing them of spreading misinformation and violating regulations. The suspension, which applies to MSF’s Dutch section in several regions, including Tigray, Gambella, Amhara, and Somali, is set to last for three months.
Both organizations have confirmed the suspension and are in discussions with the government to resume their operations. MSF expressed concern over the suspension’s impact on vulnerable communities, including both Ethiopian citizens and refugees, as healthcare access in these areas is already limited. MSF was also accused by the Ethiopian government of illegally importing satellite radio equipment and bringing foreign workers into the country without proper permits.
The UN’s aid chief, Martin Griffiths, who recently visited Ethiopia, criticized the Ethiopian government’s accusations, urging that blanket claims against humanitarian workers should cease. The aid groups’ suspension comes amid ongoing tensions in the conflict-ridden Tigray region.
