The situation in Ethiopia is spiraling out of control.   
  
Violence and destruction have reached alarming levels.   
  
The social fabric is being ripped apart.   
  
Hostilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must end now – including the immediate withdrawal and disengagement of Eritrean armed forces from Ethiopia. 
  
There is no military solution.  
  
Civilians are paying a horrific price.   
  
Indiscriminate attacks -- including in residential areas -- are killing more innocent people every day, damaging critical infrastructure and limiting access to vital services. 
  
Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes since hostilities resumed in August, many of them for the second time.  
  
We are also hearing disturbing accounts of sexual violence and other acts of brutality against women, children and men. 
  
All parties must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.  
  
Civilians must be protected – and, so, too, humanitarian workers who are being attacked – and even killed -- delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid. 
  
The level of need is staggering.   
  
Even before the resumption of hostilities, 13 million people required food and other support across Tigray, Amhara and Afar.  
  
Deliveries of aid into Tigray have been suspended for more than seven weeks, and assistance to Amhara and Afar has also been disrupted.  
  
All parties must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need. 
  
The United Nations is ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end this nightmare for the Ethiopian people. 
  
We need the urgent resumption of talks towards an effective, lasting political settlement.   
  
The international community must rally together now for peace in Ethiopia.  
  
Thank you.