The Ethiopian Government forces launched military operations in Tigray (Northern Region) 12 days ago after the Government accused local authorities of attacking a military camp and attempting to loot military assets. The TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front), which is in power in the region, denies the charge and has accused the prime minister (Abiy Ahmed) of concocting the story to justify the offensive. Since the war started, air strikes and ground combat between government forces and the TPLF have killed hundreds of people, and losses of properties and so far 25,000 refugees have crossed into Sudan.
We now hear that in Tigray region all the communications are shut down (no telephone, no internet, and no movement, no electricity) and media are barred. We can hardly get any information from that region apart from what the government of Ethiopia puts on National TV and other media.
We also hear that people are struggling to get food, water and medicine. It is indeed a critical humanitarian situation.
In Ethiopia, the M.Afr have communities in Adigrat, Wukro and Kombolcha. Kombolcha is in Amhara region in the central part of Ethiopia and so far this community is safe. In this community we have 2 Missionaries of Africa and one Stagiaire.
Adigrat and Wukro are within Tigray region where the war is. In Adigrat we have seven confreres. We also have one M.Afr in a place called Abiy Adi at some 120 km away from Adigrat. In Adigrat we also have 5 seminarians who are in the pre first cycle (St Paul Formation house).
In Wukro community there is usually one missionary of Africa, but who is in Spainat the moment plus two diocesan priests. We also have more than 20 workers in both communities.
Since the beginning of the conflict we have no news from our confreres in Adigrat and Wukro. Are they safe? Are they still in their communities? Have they fled? Do they have food or water? We have no information.
The Delegate Superior has tried to contact International Red Cross (ICRC) offices in Addis to see if they could help get some information on our confreres in Tigray and so far they have not yet succeeded. Attempts have also made to reach the Bishop of Adigrat and the Diocesan offices but in vain. It is really very worrying not to know about our confreres.
So we are asking you and all the people of good will to pray for our confreres and the entire Ethiopia so that peace may prevail again in this beautiful country.