Urgent Situation in Tigray by Fetien Abay, Ph.D.

From: Fetien Abay <fetienabay@gmail.com>

Date: 19 November 2020 10:33

To: ............................. <..............................@...............be>

Subject: : Situation in Tigray

Dear all friends, 

 I am writing this email while I and my people are in a most difficult conditions. My tears running on my chest. I feel I am a global woman and your support. I appreciate on what is going on. Could you also share it to any organization worried on minorities,  could you share it with foreign ministry, board, and if possible to the peace prize. I appreciate what has been done so far.

If you find any typing error in this message pls forgive 

In addition to the global burden of COVID-19, We faced locust invasion. The recent growing season was most exceptional productive where various crops successfully grown in the field. Like other parts of Ethiopia we got invasive desert locust attack. But what makes it difficult in Tigray was no air spray, Motorized spray etc. from the federal government. They denied the GIS Coordinate sent by the tigray regional bureau agriculture. The ministry of agriculture was instructed not to accept unless sent by the village or district leaders. Drone sent by Tigrians based in Israel to support on the locust attack spray was not permitted to Tigray..i was requested to write letter of permission for release the drone so that university will take responsibility with the hope it will be permitted. Again not possible. The whole youth of Tigray region collaborated to smash locust using all means. Innovations were there as well. While we were hoping that we could harvest the left over crops in the field war erupted in Tigray...very unfortunate side of it.

Tigray is surrounded all over the broader by Eritrean troops, the whole Ethiopian defence military and Amhara militia and police ( 2nd largest in the country). Considering the hate trade against this region and collaborations of all, over the small region. Imagine what can happen

-How on earth your own government bombarded own people, 

-How on earth your own government collaborate with foreign and neighboring country to attack from front and back side 

- How on earth your own government denied internet, telephone and banking services. No market products allowed to Tigray. Food prices raised (e.g. teff price from 4000 th o 6000 per 100 kg. most not available specially imported baby foods diapers etc. Two days back we are now allowed to take 2000 from own account but impossible due to very big queue in every bank. You can only take from your bank . Customer's who has savings in same bank outside the region or outside Mekelle not allowed to get that 2000 birr. I shared my 2000 with a young family recently moved from Addis. I have first born brother, 89, I am no 12 sister. He couldn't access his banking and was locked in his home. His kids are out of the country. I brought him here , he about to die supported for his oxygen...

-How on earth own government denied critical medicines like insulins, medicines for dialysis, HIV, nutrition medicines. we wrote letter to red cross to assist us in getting them here, such initiatives was not possible. This was beyond my expectations:

-How on earth your own  government escalate conflict within country and collaborate with neighboring region (Amhara) who had sharp conflict on boarder issues with Tigray 

-How on earth your own government guide/dictate  the parliament to escalate their emotions and declare tigray regional government as terrorist group despite the 2.7 million vote earned by the people of Tigray...

-how on earth your own government denied food access mainly safety Net, access for education by denying face mask and by denying masks produced by the region in collaborations with local garment. It was on the website of the ministry of education no schools will be opened if they use face mask produced by garments not approved by the ministry. I visited several ministries to advocate on the discriminatory decisions. Even I told them my university and other universities based in Tigray region can serve as entry point of accessing those important sources for human being. 

I am now confused let me give most annoying attacks of bombing:

First air attacked didn't target gasoline storage but laid on crop produce. And killed 10 years old girl and few farmers.

Second air attack was  on part of Tekeze dam.. we had no electricity for some days and maintained by the region functioning on every other day basis.

Third airplane attack was on sugar factory (as per regional government report)

Fourth airplane attack was bad in Mekelle bombed sport academy (sport field of Mekelle University & St. George church. Since bombing was at the border of main campus it devastated all community of my university. Many people in Mekelle lined in all banks & I was running here and there in the city and my second son (born in Oslo in 2003) was alone got shocked like all of us but he was alone. He kindly requested me not to be far from home. But I am leading this university during this time.

Fetien Abay (PhD in Plant Breeding and Seed)

Interim President,

Vice President for Research and Community Engagement (VPRCE),

Mekelle University,POBox 232,

Tigray, Ethiopia

Office Tel: +251344402890

Office Fax: +251344401090

website: www.mu.edu.et