UN refugee agency regains access to Tigray camps

The United Nations has regained access to the Mai Aini and Adi Horush camps that house Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia's Tigray province, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York violent clashes in the area had prevented the staff of the UN refugee agency UNHCR from reaching the camps since July 13.

Dujarric added that " access remains limited due to security situation and refugees continue to face dire conditions."

Basic services such as health care remain unavailable and clean drinking water is running out."

Some 24,000 Eritrean refugees are trapped in two camps in Ethiopia's Tigray region, cut off from humanitarian aid, and their food rations may have run out, according to the United Nations.