Italy stands ready to help civilians in conflict-hit Tigray province, deputy foreign minister Emanuela Del Re said on Wednesday, according to a foreign ministry statement.
"Italy is prepared to provide the necessary aid to the civilian population affected by the conflict," Del Re told Ethiopia's minister for peace, Muferiat Kamil in a phone conversation, said the statement.
The United Nations has said there is a "full-scale humanitarian crisis" in the region, where 45,000 refugees have crossed into Sudan since the conflict between the Tigray Peoples Liberation Forces and Ethiopia's government began in November.
The UN expects a further 100,000 people to flee the fighting in the next six months.
Through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Italy has already arranged aid for refugees from Tigray who have arrived in Sudan, and further assistance is "in the pipeline," Del Re told Kamil, the statement said.
Humanitarian supplies will also be sent as soon as logistical conditions allow, Del Re added.
Del Re recalled to Kamil a humanitarian access agreement that the Ethiopian government signed with the UN to allow in desperately needed food and other aid. Del Re voiced hope that life-saving operations and access to all civilians in need will not be obstructed in the affected areas in of Tigray, said the statement.
Amid a communications blackout and restricted access to Tigray, the government denies the alleged bombing of civilian areas and has accused TPLF forces of sheltering in schools, churches and mosques.
