Ethiopia: WFP resigns after food misappropriation scandal

2023-06-08T03:09:00.203Z

Highlights: In April 2023, revelations about food diversion had motivated the "suspension until further notice" of the operations of the World Food Programme (WFP) An internal investigation, the conclusions of which are awaited, is now creating turmoil within the WFP itself. The situation on the ground is getting worse. The Tigray regional health office estimated on Monday (June 5th) that the number of children under 5 dying from acute malnutrition had increased by 28% between March and April. But WFP immediately denied any resignation, saying only that its Ethiopian director was currently "on leave"

In April 2023, revelations about food diversion had motivated the "suspension until further notice" of the operations of the World Food Programme (WFP), and the American organization...

Ethiopia: WFP resigns after food misappropriation scandal

In April 2023, revelations about food diversion had motivated the "suspension until further notice" of the operations of the World Food Programme (WFP), and the US organization USAID in the region. An internal investigation, the conclusions of which are awaited, is now creating turmoil within the WFP itself.

A WFP staff member organizes relief packages at a warehouse designated by the UN for humanitarian assistance to Africa to combat the COVID-19 outbreak at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri

Text by: RFI Follow

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How did food aid for the people of Tigray end up on sale in local markets? Two parallel investigations have been launched to answer this question.

On the U.S. side, an investigation is underway within the U.S. state's international aid agency, USAID. Its administrator Samantha Power told the Senate in April that the food theft appeared to involve "collusion between the two parties to the conflict," namely the Tigrayan armed forces and the federal armed forces. But no new USAID communication has been made since.

WFP is conducting its own investigation. On Monday, the New Humanitarian news site, citing internal sources, claimed that the Ethiopian director of WFP and his deputy had resigned on Friday (May 2nd), anticipating the results of the UN agency's investigation. But WFP immediately denied any resignation, saying only that its Ethiopian director was currently "on leave" and was still "employed by WFP".

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground is getting worse. The Tigray regional health office estimated on Monday (June 5th) that the number of children under 5 dying from acute malnutrition had increased by 28% between March and April.

>> Read also: Chad: for lack of funds, WFP will no longer be able to feed refugees and displaced people from May

Ethiopia: WFP resigns after food misappropriation scandal

Ethiopia: WFP resigns after food misappropriation scandal

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