News Tigray Issues Emergency Appeal as Health System Faces ‘Operational Collapse’
March 7, 2026
Federal government refutes suspension of medical, fuel supplies
Fluctuating medical supply, coupled with fuel supply deficit has deteriorated health sector provisions, according to Tigray Interim Administration (TIA).
The administration issued an urgent emergency appeal to the international community, warning of an imminent ‘operational collapse’ of the region’s healthcare system due to various factors it attributes to the federal government.
According to the regional health bureau, ‘medical supplies to Tigray are suspended. Federal agencies have halted pharmaceutical deliveries, resulting in zero percent refills for essential drugs throughout January and February months.’
According to data from the region’s Essential Procurement and Supply System (EPSS) hubs in Mekelle and Shire, no fuel refills were delivered during those two months.
In a statement issued on March 5, 2026, the interim administration stated that the total suspension of medical supplies and critical fuel shortages affects the region’s healthcare system.
The statement added that the Mekelle hub recorded a 65 percent fuel refill for health program essential drugs in November 2025, dropping to 32 percent for essential drugs in December before reaching zero percent in January and February.
The Shire hub showed a similar pattern, with refills dropping from 51 percent in December to zero percent in January and February.
During a media briefing on Friday, head of Tigray Health Bureau, Amanuel Haile (MD), reported that the suspension of medicine deliveries is creating serious consequences for the population.
“Disruptions in medicines, clinical inputs, and equipment, combined with fuel shortages and insufficient financial resources, severely weaken Tigray’s health infrastructure and limit the ability of facilities to provide regular services,” Amanuel said. He added medical supplies reached Tigray intermittently until December, but no medicines entered the region during January and February.
The bureau head called on the federal government to restore the flow of medicines and essential resources while urging the international community to recognize the seriousness of the situation.
However, Fekadu Yadetta, HIV Prevention and Control Executive at the Ministry of Health, told The Reporter that the region is currently well-stocked.
Fekadu suggested the Bureau’s claims stem from “fear” that current supplies may not withstand future disruptions. Despite this disagreement, Fekadu noted that the Ministry is now preparing additional medicine and equipment in response to the region’s formal requests.
According to the TIA’S statement, fuel supply to Tigray dropped to 850,000 liters in January compared to a routine monthly allocation of approximately 15 million liters, with deliveries ceasing entirely since recently. Similarly, the health bureau stated this prevents ambulances from operating consistently, halts the distribution of medicines from central warehouses to facilities, and puts cold chain systems for vaccines at risk due to generator fuel shortages.
Humanitarian response teams require a minimum of 264,000 liters of diesel fuel and 75,470 liters of petrol immediately to resume lifesaving outreach and supply distribution for the coming three months.
Nonetheless, federal officials refute the suspension of the commodities.
Last week, Destaw Mekuanent 9PhD), director general of Petroleum and Energy Authority, told The Reporter the allegations are false, and maintained that fuel distribution is proceeding routinely across the country.