By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE
Fresh allegations of aid diversion and forced financial contributions in parts of Tigray are raising serious concerns among humanitarian agencies and donor governments supporting emergency relief efforts in the war-affected region.
Local administrators and aid officials say the claims if confirmed could jeopardize critical food assistance programs that hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable households rely on for survival.
The concerns surfaced during recent meetings between local officials from Mekelle’s sub-cities, sub-districts, and woreda administrations and representatives from humanitarian organizations including Catholic Relief Services and the Relief Society of Tigray.
The discussions reportedly focused on safeguarding the integrity of emergency food distributions funded by the United States Department of State.
Participants in the meeting emphasized that collecting money, food, or any form of contribution from aid beneficiaries is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of humanitarian principles governing the program.
Pressure on Local Administrators
However, interviews conducted by The East Africa Daily with several woreda and sub-city administrators who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter suggest that local officials have faced pressure to collect financial and material contributions from aid recipients.
According to these sources, directives allegedly instruct local officials to collect up to 2,000 Ethiopian Birr and cereals from individuals receiving humanitarian food assistance.
Administrators interviewed described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that such actions could undermine trust in humanitarian programs and potentially expose aid workers and local officials to legal and compliance risks.
“We were clearly told that collecting money or food from beneficiaries is illegal,” one local administrator said. “But at the same time there are pressures being communicated that put local officials in a very difficult position.”
IDPs Report Similar Allegations
Interviews with internally displaced residents in camps around Mekelle appear to support the allegations.
Several IDPs who spoke to The East Africa Daily said that they were asked to contribute money despite already struggling to survive on reduced humanitarian assistance.
“We were told to contribute even though we are receiving less food than before,” one displaced resident said.
Multiple camp residents also reported that the standard monthly ration had recently declined from 15 kilograms to approximately 12 kilograms, a reduction they say has intensified hardship for families already facing severe food insecurity.
Donor Compliance Risks
Humanitarian officials warn that any confirmed diversion or coercion linked to aid distribution could trigger serious consequences.
According to individuals familiar with donor compliance mechanisms, programs financed by international donors operate under strict monitoring requirements.
Any evidence of systematic diversion, corruption, or forced contributions from beneficiaries can result in the immediate suspension of assistance.
“The donors are very clear,” said one humanitarian official familiar with the discussions. “If aid is diverted or beneficiaries are exploited, the program can be halted immediately.”
Such an outcome could leave thousands of displaced families without access to essential food supplies.
Historical Concerns Over Aid Diversion
The allegations come against a backdrop of longstanding concerns about the politicization and diversion of humanitarian aid in Tigray.
During the 2020–2022 conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), multiple aid agencies reported challenges ensuring that assistance reached intended beneficiaries.
In 2023, both the United States and the United Nations World Food Programme temporarily suspended food aid operations in parts of Ethiopia including in Tigray region after investigations uncovered a large-scale diversion of humanitarian food supplies.
The suspension was lifted only after the introduction of stricter monitoring systems and distribution reforms.
Humanitarian analysts say the reports demonstrated the fragility of aid delivery systems in conflict-affected environments and the difficulty of preventing interference by armed actors or local authorities.
“Any perception that aid is being manipulated or diverted can quickly erode donor confidence,” said one regional humanitarian analyst. “When that happens, the first victims are the displaced and vulnerable communities who depend on the assistance”
Reports of New Financial Contribution Campaign
Sources in Tigray also report that leadership within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has recently discussed introducing broad public contributions to support regional initiatives.
According to individuals familiar with the discussions, the proposals could include deductions of up to 20 percent from government employees’ salaries and additional financial contributions from other sectors of the population.
While authorities have not publicly confirmed such measures, local observers say the reports have raised concerns among residents already facing economic hardship after years of war and displacement.
Concerns Over Renewed Militarization
The allegations also emerge amid heightened political and security tensions in the region.
In a recent interview with local media outlet DW Migbey Haile, a senior TPLF military figure claimed that the group now possesses modern weapons systems, including anti-drone and anti-tank capabilities—remarks that some observers interpret as signaling a potential military buildup.
Regional analysts caution that financial pressures placed on civilians could reflect broader efforts to mobilize resources in a volatile political environment.
A Lifeline at Risk
Humanitarian agencies stress that the emergency food program implemented by Catholic Relief Services in partnership with the Relief Society of Tigray remains a critical lifeline for thousands of displaced and vulnerable families across Tigray.
Aid officials say protecting the integrity of the program is essential not only for maintaining donor support but also for ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need.
“As investigations continue, the priority must be transparency and accountability,” one humanitarian official said. “If aid systems are compromised, the humanitarian consequences could be devastating.”
For displaced families in camps across Tigray, the stakes are immediate and profound: the loss of humanitarian assistance could mean the difference between survival and hunger.
