Vicky Ford MP @vickyford@respublicae.eu
Unofficial automated mirror. No copyright asserted. ∎ MP for Chelmsford, 🇬🇧former Minister for Development & IMCO chair. 💙Children, Tech, Investment, Science, helping Women & the NHS 🏏🎣
Joined Apr 2022
3/10
Before the drought this land was teeming with cattle, goats, camels etc. Pastoralists relied on their animals for food & income. Now the land is brown & most of the animals have died.
All they have is a weekly visit from a mobile health unit held under the only large tree
2/10
We drove for two hours along a “dirt track” to reach an isolated community - but even that description is overly positive - if that was a “track” then my local country lane is a motorway.
There is nothing -no buildings, no communications.
The riverbed is dry.
Thread 1/10
I have just returned from Afar in eastern Ethiopia, a part of S&E Ethiopia, Somalia & N Kenya that has been decimated by climate change driven drought.
I am finding it hard to process what I witnessed or the magnitude and speed at which this tragedy is unfolding.
RT @FCDOGovUK: NEW: UK announces humanitarian assistance to reach 150,000 women and children suffering drought and conflict in Ethiopia
For those who are trying to contact me today.
I am in Ethiopia visiting communities on the edge of famine.
Also trying to help get a ceasefire in the civil war & for aid to flow.
The phone coverage where I am today is very limited.
Every woman should have the right to control over her own body.
Landmark statement at
@UN #ThirdCommittee today, led by 🇬🇧 🇳🇵🇦🇱 🇲🇽 🇱🇷 🇺🇸 standing up for international consensus on women’s and girls’ rights. We must not waver on our commitment to #SRHR ⬇️
Delighted to meet 🇪🇹President @SahleWorkZewde in Addis today.
We spoke about the need for peace in Ethiopia to end awful effects of conflict especially on women and girls.
RT @tariqahmadbt: All women & girls should be able to make decisions about their own lives and sexual & reproductive health & rights
Today @UN, the UK & 🇺🇸 🇱🇷🇲🇽🇦🇱 &🇳🇵led 71 countries to commit to work tirelessly together on #SRHR in a landmark statement
🇺🇳#ThirdCommittee
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/we-must-respect-the-bodily-autonomy-of-women-and-girls-throughout-their-lives-cross-regional-joint-statement-at-the-un-third-c…
I also urge TPLF to join
➡️cessation of hostilities
➡️AU-led peace talks
And to support restart of humanitarian access across North Ethiopia
Important meeting with Deputy PM @demekehasen today.
Discussed long-standing 🇬🇧🇪🇹 partnership.
I urged for
➡️cessation of hostilities
➡️join AU-led peace talks
➡️restart humanitarian access to Tigray
➡️Eritrea troops should withdraw
For the sake of the people of Ethiopia.
Pleased to see @Bankole_Adeoye again, to discuss the desperate humanitarian situation in the north of Ethiopia, which the UK and @_AfricanUnion are working flat out to resolve. Its time to put down the guns and to start peace talks immediately.
Good to meet @EthioHRC Chief Commissioner @DanielBekele. Very concerned by grave human rights situation in Ethiopia – which is still deteriorating. Especially concerned for women and girls in Tigray at this time
Back in Ethiopia with two priorities: conflict in the north & the drought.
As International Development Minister, look forward to seeing UK aid supporting the humanitarian responses but will also express UK’s deep concerns over renewed fighting. Ceasefire needed now.
Great meeting with His Excellency 🇬🇦 Minister of Foreign Affairs Adamo. Wide ranging discussion on #Commonwealth and UN Charter. Thanked him for Gabon’s continued leadership on #climate action.
RT @tariqahmadbt: Her Late Majesty The Queen & HM King Charles dono nay 🇵🇰 logon kay dard ko mehsoos kia kyunkay 🇵🇰 kay sath hamara rishta bohat gahra hai aur isi liye hum apko is haal main tanha nahee chorayngay
Terrible news of another aid worker killed in #Tigray. Aid workers need access & safety to perform life-saving work – as set out in International Humanitarian Law. Gravely concerned about potential for renewed atrocities in Tigray – urge protection of civilians as priority.
Delighted to welcome le #vertjaunebleu 💚💛💙 into the Commonwealth family at Marlborough House in London today with His Excellency President Ali Bongo.
RT @Conservatives: We are committed to long-term reforms and going for growth.
Delivering the strong and sustained growth that can transform the prosperity of our country for generations to come.
@Jeremy_Hunt 👇
Congratulations to Dr Cynthia Rosenzweig on winning @WorldFoodPrize on #WorldFoodDay! Excellent science key to strengthen food systems resilience to face triple threat of climate change, COVID and conflict. Proud that #UKAid via @FCDOResearch supported @AgMIPnews #FOODPRIZE22
RT @tariqahmadbt: UK to give additional £10m aid for flood-affected areas https://www.dawn.com/news/1715076
Unofficial automated mirror. No copyright asserted. ∎ MP for Chelmsford, 🇬🇧former Minister for Development & IMCO chair. 💙Children, Tech, Investment, Science, helping Women & the NHS 🏏🎣
Joined Apr 2022
