UN warns health services in Tigray could shut down completely
The UN humanitarian office said on Thursday that the widening conflict in northern Ethiopia is displacing thousands of civilians and restricting aid operations, and that it is particularly concerned by reports that life-saving health care in Tigray could stop altogether.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday 8 October 2026 that the worsening conflict in northern Ethiopia is displacing thousands of civilians from their homes and restricting humanitarian operations.
It said it is particularly concerned by reports that life-saving health services in Tigray could shut down completely. Such a collapse would hit hardest the families already displaced by the fighting and those who need medical care.
OCHA said aid agencies are still working to widen the emergency response despite insecurity, funding shortfalls and shortages of fuel.
The warning follows the fighting that reignited on 23 September between Ethiopian federal forces and fighters aligned with the TPLF, which has since spread into parts of Tigray and neighbouring areas.
The conflict has already damaged civilian infrastructure, transport and access for aid. Telecommunications cuts, insecurity on main roads and shortages of fuel and cash have made delivering basic supplies much harder.
The humanitarian situation worsened further after aid warehouses in Tigray were looted earlier this month. According to the UN, stores belonging to a UN agency and to local and international aid organisations were targeted, and food, seed, fertiliser and water supplies were lost.

