By Muluken Tekleyohanes | Editor-in-Chief, Ambassador Media
Published: June 30, 2025
Angot District, Amhara Region — The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of Mahelet Sitotaw Abera, a dedicated humanitarian worker, who lost her life during a crossfire between government forces and non-state armed groups on June 20, 2025, in the North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara Region.
According to a statement released on June 26 by Abibatou Wane-Fall, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia ad interim, Mahelet was on duty collecting humanitarian data in Angot District when she was critically injured around 10:00 a.m. Despite being swiftly evacuated to Weldiya for urgent medical care, she succumbed to her injuries later that afternoon.
Mahelet was serving with the Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA), a local NGO active in humanitarian response across the region.
“My deepest sympathies go to the family of the deceased and the entire humanitarian community in Ethiopia,” said Wane-Fall. “All feasible measures must be taken to protect civilians and those delivering critical humanitarian assistance.”
The UN official called on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and the Humanitarian Code of Conduct, emphasizing that aid workers must be shielded from harm under all circumstances.
Rising Risks for Humanitarians in Ethiopia
The incident highlights the growing dangers faced by humanitarian personnel in Ethiopia, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Amhara and Tigray. Humanitarian access and worker safety remain key concerns for both local and international aid agencies operating in volatile zones.
Wane-Fall reiterated that protecting aid workers is not optional, but a legal and moral obligation, especially as communities across Amhara and other regions continue to depend on life-saving assistance amidst ongoing insecurity.
Call for Accountability and Protection
The UN has urged Ethiopian authorities and armed groups to ensure that such tragedies do not recur by implementing stringent protection measures and conducting transparent investigations into attacks against aid personnel.
As Ethiopia continues to grapple with internal conflicts, the international community is closely watching how the government and local stakeholders address humanitarian concerns and uphold the safety of frontline workers like Mahelet.
