The United Nations is demanding urgent action to prevent famine in Ethiopia’s rebel-held Tigray region. U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths called on Ethiopia’s government to end a de facto blockade of food, medical supplies and fuel into Tigray, calling the crisis a “stain on our consciousness.” A U.N. spokesperson said the crisis is affecting millions of people.

Stéphane Dujarric: “5.2 million people still require food aid, with 400,000 people living in famine-like conditions. Our humanitarian colleagues say that child malnutrition is at the same level as at the outset of the 2011 Somalia famine.”