Ethiopia: the human cost of fighting in Tigray
Hundreds executed, thousands homeless - the human cost of fighting in Tigray
The breadth and depth of human suffering in the Ethiopian region of Tigray is perfectly clear to humanitarian workers, human rights groups and the international diplomatic community.
After four months of warfare between Ethiopia's national defence force and fighters from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), observers are collecting a worrying selection of data.
More than 500,000 Tigrayans have lost their homes. Almost 60,000 have sought refugee status in neighbouring Sudan. Two refugee camps in Tigray have been obliterated by military force. Nearly 70% of 106 health facilities have been looted. Only 13% are functioning normally.
Allegations and stories about atrocities and human rights abuses have also surfaced, despite a government-imposed communications blackout.
Amnesty International has issued a report about the deaths of hundreds of people in the ancient Tigrayan city of Axum. Drawing on testimony from refugees in Sudan - and evidence given by phone in Ethiopia - the human rights group says Eritrean troops, who are allied with Ethiopian government forces, "carried out systematic house-to-house searches, extra judicially executing men and boys".
Read this shocking report from Sky News as they visit some of the villages and communities affected by the war and meet some of the people and hear their stories.
Responding to the Sky News report, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was "deeply concerned" and highlighted his trip to both Ethiopia and Sudan earlier this year.
"I think there's a number of things we need to do," Mr Raab said. "First of all, as I made it clear to the Ethiopian government when I was there, we need to see unfettered access for humanitarian purposes into Tigray so we get some proper facts we can verify, but also so we can support the vulnerable. "There's a risk of famine as well as the human rights abuses your correspondent was looking into.
Citing evidence of serious human rights violations in Tigray, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet - and organisations like Amnesty International - have called for an immediate and independent investigation.
If the truth is not revealed, thousands more will lose their lives.
Pray: for doors to open so that the necessary humanitarian assistance will be made accessible for the millions of people whose lives have been impacted – the victims, the refugees, the bereaved.
Pray: for an end to the hostilities and for a path to peace to be brokered in what is a complex and deep-rooted situation.
Pray: for those who have committed war crimes to be brought to justice.
Pray: for peaceful and safe elections to take place.
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