Dear Lord Alton, 

We have consistently raised with all actors involved in the conflict the importance of ensuring safe and continued access to education and health services before and during the current escalation in conflict in Tigray and other affected regions. We continue to urge deescalation on all sides.

 

Our education team is working closely with the Education in Emergency network and humanitarian actors to urgently determine the impact of the current conflict on access and continuity of education in Tigray and other conflict affected locations. We are providing expert technical support to the education cluster through our Advisors at post who have extensive experience of education in conflict affected and fragile locations. We are also emphasising the importance of close collaboration between the education and humanitarian response given that schools can play a vital role in stabilisation, protection, and acting as an entry point for life sustaining services.

 

Our assessment is emerging and is based on continued triangulation of information from the humanitarian sector and agencies working in education on the ground.  The full impact has not, as yet, emerged given access and communication challenges. We will continue to be in regular contact with agencies delivering the education response.  We are actively supporting the education cluster to engage with humanitarian colleagues to identify opportunities for closer collaboration.

Kind regards, 

Becky

Becky Beard | Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister for International Development and Africa | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | W1.180 

 

OFFICIAL

From: ALTON OF LIVERPOOL, Lord <AltonD@parliament.uk>
Sent: Monday, October 5, 2026 5:18 PM
To: Becky Beard <becky.beard@fcdo.gov.uk>
Cc: MCNEILL, Kirsty (Private) <kirsty.mcneill.private@parliament.uk>; PS Minister McNeill Action <psministermcneillaction@fcdo.gov.uk>; WOOD OF ANFIELD, Lord <stewart.wood@parliament.uk>
Subject: After the countryside, towns and communications, the Ethiopian government now wants to dry up Tigray’s universities

You don’t often get email from altond@parliament.uk. Learn why this is important

Dear Becky,

Thank you very much for your response to my enquiry. 

I recognise and welcome the Government’s concerns regarding the security situation  and the need for a cessation of hostilities by all parties.

With more than 10 million children across conflict-affected parts of Ethiopia out of school and continuing reports that educational facilities have been occupied or used for military purposes, can the Government clarify:

  • What assessment it has made of the scale of disruption to education in Tigray and other conflict-affected regions?
  • Whether it has raised concerns with the Ethiopian authorities and other relevant actors regarding the military use of schools?
  • What support the UK is providing, either directly or through international partners, to help restore access to safe education for affected children?

Since your email was sent on Friday, the security situation has deteriorated significantly. Reportsindicate that an internally displaced persons (IDP) site has been struck by a drone attack, alongside attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure. The concern is that this indicates a rapidly deteriorating security crisis and a return to full-scale war in the region. 

In such circumstances, the protection of civilians, including children, and the safeguarding of access to education and other essential services are even more urgent.

As the Government has repeatedly stated, civilians must be protected during conflict and access to basic services must be safeguarded. Ensuring that children can return to safe, functioning schools is a critical part of that commitment.

I would therefore be grateful for any further information the Minister can provide on the Government’s assessment of the current situation and its implications for education, civilian protection and humanitarian access.

Kind regards,

David 

Lord Alton of Liverpool