Pope Francis prays for the troubled Tigray region, Ethiopia

The head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican Pope Francis has prayed for the humanitarian crisis facing the Tigray region in Ethiopia.

The Pope said on Sunday that he is “particularly close to the people of Tigray” as they face famine at the time of unrest that began in November 2020.

“I am particularly close to the people of Tigray, Ethiopia, affected by a serious humanitarian crisis,” Pope said.

Tigray has been under conflict between the Special Forces of the Tigray Regional government, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces.

In his prayer, Pope asked the world to remember Tigray in prayer so that the violence may come to an end and social harmony is restored as soon as possible.

“Let us pray together so that the violence ceases, food and health assistance is guaranteed to all, and social harmony is restored as soon as possible,” the Pope added.

Pope’s comment comes at the time when the UN agencies and aid groups estimate that about 350,000 people Tigray region are in famine conditions.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has also called for urgent humanitarian action to save the lives of many people in the region.

Guterres said that several areas in the region are on the brink of famine and that the situation will aggravate unless the need for funding is increased and humanitarian access is improved.

“The actions we take now may mean the difference between life and death for many people,” Guterres said.

Several people have been killed, and thousands displaced following the conflict between the Special Forces of the Tigray Regional government, and the Ethiopian government.

The conflict saw the US imposing wide-ranging restrictions on economic and security assistance to Ethiopia.