UAE sends 34 tonnes of food and medical supplies to Ethiopia

Two planes have carried the humanitarian aid to those most in need

Two planes loaded with aid have been sent by the UAE to Ethiopia. Wam

The UAE has sent two planes loaded with vital humanitarian aid to Ethiopia over the past two days, state news agency Wam reported on Saturday.

At least 34 tonnes of food and medical supplies were sent for people in need, including in the capital Addis Ababa and the war-torn Tigray region.

Hundreds of thousands are facing starvation in Tigray, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front have been at war for 17 months.

The UAE has established a humanitarian air bridge to help people in Ethiopia, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children.

As part of the air bridge, 18 planes carrying humanitarian aid have landed in Addis Ababa and the Tigray region. The supplies reached about 1.2 million people, including 960,000 women and children.

The UAE has provided $85 million to support relief operations in Ethiopia to date, in co-operation with international organisations.

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