ADDIS ABABA, 25 February, 2021 (TON): The foreign minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen told a United Nations human rights meeting that the humanitarian access in the Tigray region is so far improving; however, security remains "a work in progress."

"Full return to stability is a work in progress. But there is no doubt the situation keeps on improving, allowing better movement of humanitarian operations except for a few pocket areas where there is sporadic shooting by these remnants (of opposition forces). Emergency humanitarian assistance is being delivered in 36 wards of the (inaudible) region at 92 food distribution centers," Demeke said.

The responsibilities to all refugees were very seriously handled by Ethiopia, as it had reached out to two million people in need of aid, he said.

A United Nations report on Sunday sounded the alarm over a 'very critical malnutrition situation' unfolding in Tigray.

Last November, the conflict in Tigray erupted after the government’s loyal, the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked federal army camps located in the region, killing troops and seizing weapons. But the TPLF has since been ousted from power and arrest warrants issued against the region's fugitive leaders as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a 'law enforcement operation to restore constitutional order' after accusing the TPLF of waging a rebellion against Addis Ababa.

Aid agencies have lamented their inability to access some parts of the region as food stocks for the displaced and refugees and medical supplies for hospitals run low.