AGP Executive Report

Ethiopia–Tigray Health Crisis: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) suspended work at Alamata hospital as renewed fighting drove a sharp surge in war-wounded patients, with numbers rising from about 180 to over 420 in days; MSF also reported increased pressure on hospitals in Shire, Sheraro and Korem and warned displacement is complicating access to care. Civilian Harm in Northern Ethiopia: Hospital sources told the BBC that at least 52 civilians were killed over three days of heavy fighting around Alamata, as clashes and artillery fire disrupted nearby areas including Lalibela, where tourists were stranded. Regional Spillover Risk: Ethiopia’s army chief accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting Tigray rebels, while Qatar and the UAE publicly backed different sides and urged dialogue—raising concerns that the conflict could worsen humanitarian conditions across the Horn. Eritrea–Kenya Sports (Indirect Health Angle): Kenya’s AFCON qualifier preparations were disrupted by unpaid allowances and welfare issues ahead of matches involving Eritrea, highlighting how stress and poor support can affect athlete readiness. Eritrea–Bafana Match Focus: South Africa’s coach Pitso Mosimane flagged Eritrean striker Ali Sulieman as a key threat ahead of the Cairo clash, while injuries ruled out two midfielders.

War & Health Emergency: MSF suspended activities at Alamata hospital after a surge of war-wounded as fighting between Ethiopia’s federal forces and TPLF allies intensified around Alamata in Tigray, with hospital sources and aid updates describing a sharp jump in casualties and disrupted maternal/child and outreach services. Civilian Impact: BBC reporting says at least 52 civilians were killed over three days of heavy fighting near Alamata, while fighting also affected access to Lalibela, leaving tourists stranded. Regional Spillover Risk: Qatar and the UAE issued opposing public positions—Qatar urged an immediate end to fighting and protection for civilians, while the UAE backed Ethiopia’s government—amid claims the conflict could spread beyond Tigray. Eritrea in the Spotlight (Sports): Ahead of AFCON qualifying in Cairo, South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane flagged Eritrean striker Ali Sulieman as a key threat, while injuries ruled out two Sundowns players for the match. Humanitarian Safety Beyond Ethiopia: A separate Channel tragedy reported deaths of Eritrean migrants after an overcrowded dinghy capsized, with survivors needing medical attention.

Ethiopia–Tigray Conflict: Fighting in northern Ethiopia is intensifying again, with reports of forced displacement and hospitals seeing more wounded as clashes spread across Tigray, Afar and Amhara; Ethiopia’s forces and allied fighters claim they captured Alamata, a key supply hub, while accusations of Eritrea-backed support for rebels raise fears of wider regional spillover. Humanitarian Strain: Aid and medical access are under pressure as mobile networks and banking services are disrupted in parts of Tigray, and reports say injured people are being treated locally after heavy strikes around Alamata. Health & Safety at Borders: A UK-bound dinghy in the English Channel capsized, with authorities saying a 10-year-old Eritrean boy and two women were likely crushed—medics treated dozens of survivors in Calais. Sports with Health Angle: South Africa’s Bafana Bafana face Eritrea with two midfielders ruled out after scans confirmed injuries, underscoring how match fitness and recovery remain critical for player health during international windows.

Ethiopia–Tigray Conflict: Fighting in northern Ethiopia has surged again, with TPLF-linked forces and federal-aligned groups trading control of strategic towns and airports, while both sides accuse neighbors of backing rebels—raising fears of a wider Horn of Africa spillover. Humanitarian & Health Strain: Doctors Without Borders reports a rise in wounded people needing treatment in the north, as strikes and renewed clashes disrupt access to care and basic services. Eritrea Link in Regional Security: Ethiopia’s army chief publicly accused Eritrea (along with Sudan and Egypt) of supporting TPLF, while Eritrea is also discussed as a possible proxy factor in the conflict’s regional dynamics. Public Health Policy (Eritrea): Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh urged stronger pandemic prevention and preparedness, calling for equity, solidarity, and regional/local production so countries can access medicines and medical capacity during outbreaks. Pharmacy Sector (Asmara): World Pharmacists Day was marked at Orotta Hospital with a focus on strengthening pharmacists’ roles and local pharmaceutical self-reliance, alongside National Pharmacy Week activities. Migration Health Tragedy: In the English Channel, an overcrowded dinghy believed to carry Eritreans capsized; authorities say victims likely died from crushing, with dozens injured and rescued.

Northern Ethiopia conflict and health access: Fighting has intensified in Tigray and spread into Afar and Amhara, with reports of strategic towns changing hands (including Alamata) and renewed strikes. Aid groups warn of mounting harm to civilians, while communications disruptions (internet and phone outages) and hospital strain are reported as people struggle to reach care and reliable information. Regional spillover risk: Ethiopia’s army chief publicly accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing TPLF-linked forces, while denials and counter-claims raise fears of a wider Horn of Africa crisis. Eritrea-linked migration tragedy: In the English Channel, an overcrowded dinghy capsized off Wissant near Calais; French authorities say three deaths were likely from crushing, including a 10-year-old Eritrean boy—an urgent reminder of the health risks facing people on dangerous routes. Eritrea health sector update: World Pharmacists Day was observed in Asmara at Orotta Hospital Hall, with a focus on pharmacists’ role in healthcare and a National Pharmacy Week running 28 Sept–4 Oct.

Horn of Africa Conflict & Health Impact: Fighting between Ethiopia’s federal forces and the TPLF has intensified across northern Ethiopia, with reports of strategic town captures including Alamata and renewed clashes spreading into Afar and Amhara—raising fears of another health catastrophe after the 2020–2022 war. Disrupted Care & Communication: Internet and phone services have been disrupted in Tigray, and flights have been suspended to affected cities, complicating access to medicine, referrals, and emergency response. Regional Tensions: Ethiopia’s army chief accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting TPLF, while denials add to worries that the crisis could widen. Hospital Strain: EEPA reports that wounded people were taken to Alamata General Hospital after alleged strikes, underscoring how quickly civilians and health facilities can be pulled into the fighting. Eritrea Health & Policy: In Asmara, World Pharmacists Day was marked at Orotta Hospital, with a focus on pharmacists’ role and local pharmaceutical self-reliance. Pandemic Preparedness: Eritrea’s UN statement emphasized equity, solidarity, and stronger regional manufacturing and technology transfer to improve access to lifesaving medical products. Migration Safety: A UK-bound overcrowded dinghy in the English Channel reportedly caused deaths likely from crushing, with several survivors needing medical attention—many believed to be Eritrean.

World Pharmacists Day: Eritrea marked World Pharmacists Day at Orotta Hospital in Asmara under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” with talks on pharmacy’s role in healthcare and national pharmacy week running 28 Sept–4 Oct, including a focus on cosmetics use. Pandemic Preparedness: Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh told the UN high-level meeting that stronger prevention and preparedness need equity, solidarity, and regional manufacturing/technology transfer so developing countries can access lifesaving medicines and avoid barriers like restrictive IP and unilateral sanctions. Tigray Conflict Health Risks: Renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray is disrupting internet and phone services and threatening healthcare access after the 2022 peace deal frayed, raising fears of another humanitarian and health collapse. Medical Access in Crisis: A report on Meskel celebrations in Ethiopia highlights how conflict is already interrupting travel and delaying chronic care—people worry diabetes medication won’t reach families as flights are canceled. Health System Capacity Theme: A separate piece on Ethiopia’s push for medical tourism flags a mismatch: attracting foreign patients won’t help if local care quality and reliable health services aren’t strengthened.

World Pharmacists Day: Eritrea marked World Pharmacists Day at Orotta Hospital in Asmara under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” with talks on pharmacy’s role in healthcare and local pharmaceutical self-reliance, plus a National Pharmacy Week running 28 Sept–4 Oct. Pandemic Preparedness: Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh told a UN high-level meeting that stronger pandemic prevention needs equity, solidarity, and regional manufacturing/technology transfer so developing countries can access lifesaving medicines and tools. Tigray Conflict and Health Risks: Renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray—spilling into Afar and Amhara, disrupting phones and internet, and suspending flights—raises fears of renewed collapse of healthcare and access to medicines, with residents in Mekelle and beyond stockpiling supplies. Medical Access Strain: A report on Ethiopians seeking care abroad highlights the gap between ambitions for medical tourism and the reality that many patients still fly out for treatment they can’t reliably get at home. Press Freedom and Health: A separate Eritrea-focused piece highlights long-term detention of journalists, underscoring the human toll on health and wellbeing.

Tigray War’s Health Shock: Renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray is shattering the 2022 peace deal, with airports seized, flights suspended, and internet/phone networks disrupted—conditions that quickly cut civilians off from food, medicine, and reliable care. Cross-Border Risk: The escalation is raising fears of wider conflict that could pull in neighboring regions and potentially involve Eritrea as tensions around the Horn of Africa deepen. Pharmacy Spotlight in Asmara: World Pharmacists Day was observed at Orotta Hospital in Asmara, with Eritrean pharmacists calling for stronger roles in healthcare and announcing National Pharmacy Week (28 Sept–4 Oct) focused on pharmacy practice and growing cosmetic concerns. Pandemic Preparedness Policy: Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh urged UN members to strengthen pandemic prevention and response through equity, solidarity, and regional manufacturing, warning that gaps in access to medicines and technology leave developing countries exposed. Medical Tourism Tension (Ethiopia): Reporting highlights Ethiopia’s push to attract foreign patients while Ethiopians themselves increasingly fly abroad for care—an equity and system-capacity challenge.

Pandemic Policy: Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh urged stronger, equitable pandemic prevention and local production, warning that gaps in medical access and technology transfer leave developing countries exposed. Pharmacy & Health Workforce: World Pharmacists Day was marked in Asmara at Orotta Hospital, with Eritrean pharmacists calling for stronger roles in healthcare and announcing National Pharmacy Week (28 Sept–4 Oct) focused on public awareness, including cosmetics. Conflict & Health Risks in the Horn: Renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray has shattered the 2022 peace deal, with airports seized, flights suspended (including Lalibela), and internet/phone disruptions reported—conditions that typically worsen access to medicine, care, and reliable information. Regional Climate Threat: A new study warns strong El Niño could drive major heat-related deaths across Africa, with the Sahel projected as hardest hit—relevant for Eritrea’s wider health planning as heat stress rises. Eritrea in the Spotlight: A commentary on Eritrea’s Miss World debut highlighted the contrast between diaspora visibility and reported restrictions inside the country, including press freedom concerns.

Pandemic Policy: Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh told UN leaders that pandemic preparedness must be grounded in equity, solidarity, and access to medicines—urging regional manufacturing, technology transfer, and limits on intellectual property and unilateral coercive measures that weaken health systems. Northern Ethiopia Health Risks: Renewed fighting in Tigray is disrupting internet and phone services and threatening access to food, medicine, and reliable information, with airports seized and flights suspended—raising fears of a return to conditions that followed the 2020–2022 war. Humanitarian Protection: The U.S. condemned a reported drone strike on a Catholic Relief Services aid convoy in Tigray and called for a full investigation, stressing that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected. Heat & Disease Threat: A new model warns strong El Niño could drive major additional heat deaths across parts of East Africa, including Eritrea, highlighting urgent public health preparedness for extreme heat. Health Systems & TB: Switzerland reported tuberculosis cases at their highest level since 2018, driven largely by people of foreign origin—an indirect reminder of how migration and access to care shape infectious disease trends.

Tigray Conflict and Health Access: Fighting has surged again in Ethiopia’s Tigray, shattering the 2022 Pretoria peace deal and raising fears of a wider war that could spill across borders and pull Eritrea in. Communication Disruptions: Internet and phone services were disrupted in northern Tigray, with reports that the TPLF ordered telecom shutdowns—an early sign of how quickly daily life, including health coordination, can collapse. Humanitarian Strain: The renewed clashes follow a war that left hundreds of thousands dead and healthcare services devastated; residents are already stocking up on food and cash as roads, flights, and aid routes tighten. Air and Civilian Risks: Ethiopia suspended flights to Tigray destinations including Mekelle, Shire and Axum, and fighting near Lalibela led to flight suspensions, while reports also cite strikes affecting civilians and hospitals. Heat-Related Risk for the Region: Separately, scientists warn Super El Niño could drive major heat deaths across parts of East Africa, with Eritrea included in the Sahel belt most at risk—raising the stakes for cooling, hydration, and heat-health planning.

Northern Ethiopia Conflict: Renewed fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrayan fighters is escalating fast, with TPLF-linked forces seizing airports and threatening a return to full-scale war after the 2022 Pretoria peace deal. Health & Humanitarian Risk: Reports include airstrikes hitting civilian areas and injured people being taken to hospitals, raising fears of another collapse in health services and worsening access to care. Regional Spillover: The fighting is disrupting flights to Lalibela and could destabilize the Horn of Africa, with observers urging restraint and a return to African Union-led mediation. Eritrea Link: The 2020-22 war context notes Eritrean troops fought alongside Ethiopian forces against the TPLF, and current tensions are framed as part of wider regional friction. TB Update (Switzerland): Switzerland reported 544 TB infections in 2025, the highest since 2018, driven largely by people of foreign origin—an indicator of how migration and access to care shape disease trends. Yemen-to-Djibouti Displacement: Intensified Yemen fighting is pushing thousands of refugees toward Djibouti, straining services and increasing public health pressure in already overwhelmed settings.

Tigray Conflict Escalation: Fighting between Ethiopian forces and the TPLF has surged again, with Ethiopia saying it launched a counter-offensive and TPLF calling it “full-blown war,” while the UN and African Union urge restraint. Airport Disruptions & Access to Care: Tigrayan forces seized airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights—an early warning that roads, clinics and aid routes may tighten. Civilian Harm & Humanitarian Risk: Reports include airstrikes hitting Alamata, with civilians killed and injured, and the US is urging an investigation into a drone strike on a Catholic aid convoy in Sheraro. Regional Health Fallout: A 2022 conflict death toll estimate cited the collapse of health services, and renewed fighting threatens a repeat. TB Watch (Non-conflict): Switzerland reported 544 TB infections in 2025, the highest since 2018, driven mainly by people born abroad. Refugee Pressure: Djibouti is described as overwhelmed by thousands of Yemenis fleeing intensified fighting, raising risks for overcrowding and disease spread.

Ethiopia–Eritrea region health risk: Fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray has escalated sharply, with reports of Tigrayan forces taking control of Mekelle’s airport and Ethiopian Airlines suspending flights—an early sign that civilian movement and access to care could be disrupted again. Humanitarian access under fire: The U.S. urged an investigation into a reported drone strike on a Catholic Relief Services aid convoy in Sheraro, Tigray, raising fresh alarms for the safety of medical supplies and displaced people. Conflict-linked displacement: Yemen’s war is driving thousands of refugees toward Djibouti; UN agencies warn numbers could surge further, straining health services already under pressure. Climate and hunger: A new El Niño outlook warns of major drought impacts across northern East Africa, threatening water, crops, and livelihoods—conditions that often translate into rising malnutrition risk. Eritrea rights and health uncertainty: Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak and colleagues mark 25 years in detention without trial, with no reliable public information on their health. Migration detention abuse: Reports allege U.S. deportees sent to Equatorial Guinea were beaten and denied medical care, highlighting ongoing health harms in detention systems.

Tigray Conflict Escalation: Tigray forces say they’ve entered a “defensive war” after seizing Mekelle’s Alula Aba Nega Airport, prompting Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights to Mekelle, Shire, and Axum—an immediate hit to access for patients and supplies. Humanitarian Safety: The U.S. State Department urged an investigation into a reported drone strike on a Catholic Relief Services aid convoy in Sheraro, Tigray, stressing protection for civilians and aid delivery. Climate & Health Risk: Scientists warn “Super El Niño” could drive up to 451,000 deaths across vulnerable regions, with northern East Africa facing worsening drought and water stress. Eritrea Rights & Health: 25 years after Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak and colleagues were detained in Asmara without trial, international journalists renewed calls for proof of life and information about their health. Migration & Care Access: Reports allege U.S. deportees sent to Equatorial Guinea were denied medical care and assaulted, raising urgent concerns about detainee health and safety. Regional Policy Impact: The U.S. published an Exchange Visitor Skills List that includes Eritrea, linking some visas to a two-year home-country requirement—potentially affecting training and health workforce mobility.