Organizer Geldof expresses deep frustration, 40 years on from the Live Aid event.
The Tigray region in Ethiopia, once the focus of international attention during the famine of the 1980s, finds itself in a dire humanitarian emergency once more. Despite the efforts of initiatives like Live Aid four decades ago, the current situation remains severe, with approximately 90% of Tigray's population relying on emergency aid for survival.
The crisis in Tigray is a complex amalgamation of protracted conflict, systemic blockade of aid, displacement, environmental drought, and political instability. These factors have combined to undermine food production and access, leaving millions dependent on food aid.
The Tigray War, which took place from November 2020 to November 2022, caused massive disruption. Despite a peace agreement, ongoing issues persist, including the presence of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops, and systematic blockades that prevent humanitarian aid from reaching the region. Since May 2025, access restrictions have intensified with checkpoints blocking trucks carrying aid, which constitutes a form of starvation as a weapon of war.
The conflict has also resulted in the destruction of about 10,000 schools and the displacement of nearly two million people. Many displaced people have not returned due to lack of support, further decreasing local food availability.
The wider Horn of Africa is suffering the longest and most severe drought on record, severely impacting food and water supply. Livestock mortality is alarmingly high for pastoralist communities, reducing income and food access.
Political instability and governance issues in Ethiopia as a whole are also contributing to the crisis. Criticisms focus on military actions, political tensions, and resource management affecting regions like Tigray and Amhara. Hunger crises in places like Wagmra reflect these broader systemic issues.
The reduction in international aid, particularly due to the closure of USAID offices in Ethiopia during earlier U.S. policy shifts, has compounded the crisis. The ongoing blockades and limited access further restrict the delivery of crucial humanitarian assistance.
In light of these challenges, the blocking of relief supplies and the weaponization of starvation stand out as particularly urgent issues that require global attention to prevent further catastrophe.
References: [1] Human Rights Watch, "Ethiopia: Tigray Conflict Puts Civilians at Risk," 2021. [2] Oxfam, "Ethiopia: Drought and Conflict Threaten Millions," 2023. [3] The Guardian, "Ethiopia: Hunger Crisis in Tigray Worsens," 2025. [4] UNICEF, "Ethiopia: Nearly Two Million Children at Risk of Malnutrition in Tigray," 2026.
- The ongoing crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, marked by protracted conflict, political instability, and systemic blockade of aid, is a multifaceted issue that extends beyond the bounds of local community policy and delves into the realm of general-news and politics.
- The urgent matter of blocking relief supplies and weaponization of starvation in Tigray, exacerbated by political instability, governance issues, and employment policies that affect the delivery of humanitarian aid, necessitates global attention to prevent further humanitarian emergencies.
