The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 1st February 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, what assessment they have made of reports of (1) food shortages, (2) looting, (3) sexual violence, and (3) damage to cultural heritage, in Tigray.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, FCDO): We are shocked and saddened by further reports from Tigray of massacres of civilians, sexual violence, and attacks on humanitarian facilities and places of worship as well as reports of looting. An ongoing lack of access to the Tigray region for human rights organisations, means that it remains difficult to confirm these reports. We will continue to work with partners to seek further information. We are also concerned about the impact of the conflict on food security and nutrition in Tigray. We are in close contact with the UN’s World Food Programme, to understand humanitarian needs and what programme adaptations are required, as well as monitoring the regional situation.
We have made clear with Ethiopian Ministers the need to protect civilians and adhere to international law and international human rights law. We continue to call for independent, international, investigations into allegations of human right abuses and violations, and that the perpetrators of those incidents that are proven are held to account, whoever they may be. We will continue to make this point in upcoming conversations with the Government of Ethiopia.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government, further (1) to the report by the UNOCHA Ethiopia—Tigray Region Humanitarian Update Situation Report, published on 6 January, and (2) to reports that there have been difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid to that region, what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about ensuring that (a) aid is delivered, and (b) humanitarian assistance is accessible, in Tigray.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We support the assessment reports by the two joint UN and Government of Ethiopia assessment missions to Tigray that have taken place, noting that these were limited. The UK continues to call for sustained, free and unfettered access to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance in Tigray. The UK is working closely with humanitarian organisations to make sure aid reaches civilians affected by the fighting. The Foreign Secretary visited Gondar in neighbouring Amhara region on 22 January to see response coordination. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are working hard to deliver support in challenging circumstances, including shelter, water and healthcare.
We continue to work with the UN to promote and monitor access and the delivery of humanitarian support to all those who need it, including to civilians in contested areas.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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