The head of the World Health Organization has criticized the world community for its focus on the war in Ukraine, saying crises elsewhere, including in his native Ethiopia, are not receiving equal attention, probably because the victims are not white.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adanom Gebreyesus has questioned “whether the world really pays equal attention to the lives of blacks and whites”, given that ongoing emergencies in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria have brought together only “part” of the global concern for Ukraine. He spoke at a virtual press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday.
Last month, Gebreyesus said that “there is nowhere on earth where the health of millions of people is more endangered” than the Ethiopian region of Tigrei.
Since a truce was declared in Tigre three weeks ago, about 2,000 trucks have had to be able to bring food, medicine and other essentials to the conflict zone, he said. Instead, only about 20 trucks have arrived, said Gebreyesus, a former Ethiopian health minister and ethnic tiger.
“As we speak, people are starving,” he said. “This is one of the longest and heaviest sieges of both Eritrean and Ethiopian forces in modern history.
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Gebreyesus acknowledged that the war in Ukraine was globally significant, but asked if other crises were being given enough attention.
“I have to be honest and honest that the world doesn’t treat the human race the same way,” he said. “Some are more equal than others.”
“Tragic” situation
Hebrews described the situation in Tigray as “tragic” and said he “hopes the world will come to its senses and treat all human life equally.” He also criticized the press for failing to document ongoing atrocities in Ethiopia, noting that people had been burned alive in the region. “I don’t even know if this was taken seriously by the media.”
Earlier this year, the Ethiopian government sent a letter to the World Health Organization accusing Gebreyes of “misconduct” after his sharp criticism of the war and the country’s humanitarian crisis.
The Ethiopian government said Gebreyes was using his office “to pursue his political interests at the expense of Ethiopia” and said he remained an active member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray (TPLF).
Gebreyesus was Ethiopia’s foreign minister and health minister when the TPLF dominated the country’s ruling coalition.
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