Three MSF workers were “severely killed” by Ethiopian Tigray n New conflicts
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Three international medical charity workers (Medecins Sans Frontieres or MSF) have been “brutally murdered” in the troubled Tigray region of Ethiopia, the organization said.
The group said in a statement that emergency coordinator Maria Hernandez, assistant coordinator Yohannes Halefom Reda and driver Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael were traveling on Thursday afternoon when he lost contact with them. On Friday morning, they found their bodies a few meters from the vehicle they were using, MSF said, without giving details about the exact location.
“We condemn this attack on our colleagues under the strongest possible conditions and will continue to understand what happened,” MSF added.
We are shocked and saddened to hear that 3 MSF workers have been killed in Tigray (Ethiopia).
Our deepest sensibilities go to their families. We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and it will be constant to know what has happened.
Soon statement.
– Doctors Without Borders (@MSF_USA) June 25, 2021
“Words cannot convey our sadness, shock and anger in the face of this truly horrific attack, and will not feel the loss and suffering of their relatives and loved ones to whom we convey the most sensitive feelings and condolences.”
The deaths of Spanish national Hernandez and Ethiopian Reda and Gebremichael were “a devastating blow to both Ethiopia and the MSF, an organization operating in the rest of the world,” the statement said.
There were no other details immediately.
Thousands of people were killed
On November 4, 2020, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a ground and air attack campaign in Tigray, the then-ruling regional government party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), after blaming attacks on federal army camps. The TPLF, which dominated national politics for decades until Abiy came to power in 2018, said federal forces and its longtime enemy Eritrea had carried out a “coordinated attack” on him.
Abiy claimed victory in late November, capturing the regional capital of Mekelle. The fighting, however, has continued amid fears of a long-running conflict that has devastating effects on the civilian population.
The exact death toll from the conflict is still unclear, but it is believed that thousands of people have been killed, at least two million have been displaced. Residents of Tigray, home to nearly six million people, have described the massacres, widespread sexual violence and indiscriminate killings of civilians.
Earlier this month, the United Nations said about 350,000 people were affected by the “catastrophe” of food shortages in the face of famine, while another two million were “one step away”.
The news of the death of MSF staff sparked grief on social media.
“Three MSF colleagues are shocked, terrified and saddened by the tragic news of the death of #Ethopia in Ethiopia,” tweeted Robert Mardini, director general of the International Committee of the Red Cross. “This is unacceptable.”
Three shocked news of death shocked, frightened and upset @MSF colleagues #Ethiopia.
This is unacceptable.
Our thoughts @ICRC Maria, Tedros and Yohannes are with family, colleagues and friends. https://t.co/pzTR12UDxT
– Robert Mardini (@RMardiniICRC) June 25, 2021
Ida Sawyer, Africa’s deputy director of Human Rights Watch, also offered condolences to the rights group.
“Terrified to learn of the brutal killings of three MSF workers, they were doing a very brave + important job of serving the communities affected by the Tigray war,” Sawyer wrote on Twitter.
Terrified to learn of the savage murders of the three @MSF workers, incredibly brave + doing important work to serve communities affected by the war #Tigray #Ethiopia. Our deepest condolences to their relatives, colleagues + friends @hrw https://t.co/TThzZvfbQR
– Ida Sawyer (@ida_sawyer) June 25, 2021
In March, MSF staff traveled from Mekelle to Adigrat, about 120 km (75 miles) further north. He saw Ethiopian soldiers killed “At least four” civilians.
At the time, Karline Kleijer, head of MSF’s emergency programs, explained in a statement how Ethiopian soldiers had stopped MSF’s car and two public transport minibuses behind it, forcing passengers to get out of them.
“Men were separated from women, they were allowed to leave. Shortly afterwards, the men were shot, “the statement said.
“The MSF group was allowed to leave the site, but saw the bodies of the dead on the side of the road.”
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