UN Condemns Killing of Ethiopian Humanitarian Worker

Yared Melese, a humanitarian worker for the Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization, was kidnapped for ransom and subsequently killed by an unidentified armed group in Ethiopia's Amhara region. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) condemned the act, emphasizing that it violated the UN Code of Conduct and highlighted the increasing risks faced by humanitarian workers, with eight fatalities reported in 2024 alone. Melese's kidnapping occurred on July 22, and his death was confirmed on August 9, marking a troubling trend of violence against aid workers in Amhara, where six of the eight deaths this year have occurred. OCHA's humanitarian coordinator in Ethiopia, Ramiz Alakbarov, expressed condolences and called for enhanced protection for aid personnel. The rising violence is linked to ongoing conflicts in the region, further complicating the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Local civil society organizations have reported a surge in attacks against humanitarian workers across several regions, underscoring the urgent need for improved security measures.