An armed group in the Amhara Region killed Yared Melese, a Nutrition Officer with the NGO Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Melese was kidnapped for ransom and subsequently murdered in Dawunt Woreda, North Wello Zone.

Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, condemned the killing and expressed condolences to Melese’s family. He described Melese as a dedicated humanitarian worker.

📢 STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF A HUMANITARIAN WORKER IN THE AMHARA REGION

The humanitarian community in Ethiopia mourns the death of Mr. Yared Melese, a humanitarian and beloved husband, father and son.

Read here⬇️https://t.co/wiNu2SUX6M pic.twitter.com/yTg35ssR2p

— UN OCHA Ethiopia (@OCHA_Ethiopia) August 14, 2024

This incident raises the total number of humanitarian workers killed in Ethiopia in 2024 to eight. Of these, six were killed in the Amhara Region. Additionally, at least 14 incidents of kidnapping for ransom involving aid workers have been reported this year, with the majority occurring in the Central and North Gondar zones.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is calling for a swift investigation into the attack and emphasizes the need to uphold safety measures for humanitarian workers operating in volatile regions.

“We are collaborating with government institutions to ensure a swift investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Upholding the Code of Conduct is essential to protecting aid workers and the communities they serve.”