Attacks on humanitarians are attacks on population in need: UN

In the wake of attacks on humanitarians in Ethiopia, a UN spokesman on Monday said that such raids are assaults on the people they serve.

"Attacks on humanitarian workers aren't just attacks on those individuals, tragic and horrific as it is, it is an attack on the people they are there to serve and it is unacceptable," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The United Nations does not have any armed security to protect humanitarian workers, Dujarric said.

In the latest attack, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said government troops raided its Mekelle office in the embattled Tigray region and took down its communication satellite equipment.

"The responsibility to protect humanitarian workers falls squarely first and foremost on the government and also on all parties involved in this conflict," the spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing.

"We condemn any and all attacks on humanitarian workers and assets and remind again all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law," he said.

"Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces entered our office in Mekele, Tigray, Ethiopia today (Monday) and dismantled our VSAT equipment. This act violates UN privileges and immunities and the rules of International Humanitarian Law regarding respect for humanitarian relief objects. I condemn this action in the strongest terms," said Henrietta Fore, executive director of the UN Children's Fund.

She asked all parties to the conflict to respect and protect humanitarian agencies and not search, confiscate or interfere with humanitarian relief operations and access to those in need.

"UNICEF's priority in Tigray, and across Ethiopia, is to help the most vulnerable children, including the 140,000 children already facing famine-like conditions. We are not, and should never be, a target."

Last week, three workers for Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) were killed in Tigray.

Guterres over the weekend was shocked by the murders and said it was unacceptable and an appalling violation of international humanitarian law.

Guterres called for the perpetrators to be found and severely punished, Dujarric said.

The UN chief wanted an independent and swift investigation into the incident, an immediate end to the fighting and urgent steps to peacefully end the conflict.