A forum for higher education institutions in the Amhara Regional State reported that more than 5,000 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) have sought clinical care in the year leading up to September 2024.
The Higher Education Forum emphasizes that this number represents only a fraction of the total incidents in the region, which has been in the grips of a conflict between armed groups and federal security forces since August 2023.
The Forum has also introduced a comprehensive health sector humanitarian response strategy. A document obtained by The Reporter indicates the conflict has resulted in over 15,000 casualties, including civilian deaths, physical injuries, SGBV, and mental health and psychosocial challenges.
The armed conflict in Amhara has had devastating consequences, the Forum states, noting that the number of SGBV survivors who have sought clinical care is likely to represent only a portion of the actual cases due to the stigma surrounding SGBV and the limited availability of healthcare services in conflict zones.
Tafre Melaku (PhD), general secretary for the Forum, told the media that the ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted essential services. Frequent roadblocks, movement restrictions, and attacks on health facilities have severely hampered the transportation of medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.
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“The previous northern Ethiopia conflict, compounded by the trauma and displacement of over 140,000 people from Sudan due to the war there, as well as drought and disease outbreaks have made the crisis in the region multifaceted and complex,” said the General Secretary.
Cholera, measles, malaria, rabies, anthrax, and pertussis cases have all been on the rise in the conflict-stricken region.
Over 969 health institutions have been affected, with many forced to cease operations, leaving millions without access to basic healthcare, according to the strategic document.
The Forum prepared this document in a bid to provide strategic advice and ensure the continuation of essential health services in humanitarian settings in collaboration with Bahir Dar University, the Amhara Public Health Institute, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The strategic document emphasizes the need for immediate interventions to restore healthcare services and provide life-saving assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and refugees, who are in critical need of support.
The Forum notes the urgent need to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support for displaced populations and healthcare workers, many of whom have experienced severe psychological trauma due to the ongoing violence and disruptions.
As the General Secretary outlined, healthcare professionals in the region are facing unprecedented challenges, with 1,116 healthcare workers displaced or killed due to the conflict over the past 14 months.
He highlighted that medical personnel often find themselves caught in the crossfire, with conflicting parties frequently misinterpreting and targeting healthcare providers. Moreover, the blatant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, has left healthcare workers traumatized and significantly hindered their ability to serve the affected communities.
The Forum’s 45-page humanitarian response strategy calls for all armed groups in the Amhara region to respect the principles of international humanitarian law, as stipulated in the Fourth Geneva Convention, which protects civilian hospitals and medical units during armed conflicts.
Forum strategy urges armed groups to cease actions that deliberately disrupt healthcare services and impede the transportation of medical supplies. It highlights that such actions not only violate international laws but also contradict Ethiopia’s deeply rooted moral values.
The strategy also recommends civil-military coordination to align civilian and military actors during humanitarian emergencies, promoting humanitarian principles, reducing inconsistencies, and preventing competition. Furthermore, all armed groups involved in the conflict are strongly urged to adhere to international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, which protect human life and dignity during wartime.
The Forum urges the government and security forces to respect international war laws and humanitarian principles and work with international human rights organizations to enforce compliance with international war laws. It sees securing health facilities, supply routes, and personnel as paramount to guaranteeing safe access to healthcare services.
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