Ethiopian officials have called for WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia". Photo: Reuters
Ethiopian officials have called for WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia". Photo: Reuters
Ethiopian officials have called for WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia". Photo: Reuters
Ethiopian officials have called for WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia". Photo: Reuters

WHO vows to keep demanding aid access to Tigray


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The World Health Organisation has vowed to continue demanding aid access to Ethiopia's war-ravaged Tigray region despite a complaint against its Ethiopian chief.

Ethiopia's government said on Friday it had asked the UN health agency to investigate WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a former Ethiopian health and foreign affairs minister, for "harmful misinformation" and "misconduct".

The government accused him of backing rebels in his native Tigray.

The WHO said on Sunday it was "aware that the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dispatched a note verbale".

But it said the WHO would "continue to ask the Ethiopian government to allow access to deliver humanitarian supplies and services to the seven million people in Tigray, Ethiopia, living under de facto blockade, according to the United Nations, for more than a year".

Ethiopia filed its complaint after Mr Tedros, the highest-profile Tigrayan abroad, last week described conditions in the region as "hell" and said the government was preventing medicines and other life-saving aid from reaching locals.

The Ethiopian government said his comments threatened the WHO's integrity and demanded Mr Tedros be investigated for misconduct and breach of his professional and legal responsibility.

It accused Mr Tedros of supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the federal government's adversary in the 14-month war in the country's north.

Ethiopia's mission to the UN also protested against the WHO head's remarks and called for Mr Tedros to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia".

The World Health Organisation says it has been prevented from delivering health supplies to Ethiopia's Tigray since July 15, 2021. Photo: AFP
The World Health Organisation says it has been prevented from delivering health supplies to Ethiopia's Tigray since July 15, 2021. Photo: AFP

The WHO however stressed that Tigray was no different than any other humanitarian setting where it and other UN agencies "require unfettered access to be able to protect and promote the health and well-being of all vulnerable and displaced people."

It said it had been prevented from delivering health supplies to Tigray since July 15, 2021 "despite multiple requests to Ethiopian authorities", even as it was allowed to deliver aid to other northern regions of the country.

Ethiopian forces and their allies have been fighting the TPLF since November 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray after accusing the rebels of attacking army camps.

Thousands have died in the fighting, while many more are facing starvation.

The World Food Programme said on Friday that its operations were "grinding to a halt" in northern Ethiopia because fierce fighting was preventing aid from reaching millions in need.

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Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

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Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

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RESULT

Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)

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Updated: January 17, 2022, 5:21 AM