Ethiopian Red Cross ambulance driver killed by gunfire in Benishangul-Gumuz

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is mourning the death of an Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) ambulance driver who was shot and killed while on duty in western Ethiopia earlier this week.

The driver, identified as Mulugeta Andualem, was transporting a patient from Jurasis Mender to a health facility in Dangur Woreda, located in the Metekel Zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, when armed individuals opened fire on the clearly marked ambulance on 14 October 2026. The attack occurred in a remote area approximately 50 kilometers from the woreda town, where access to essential services is severely limited.

The ERCS condemned the attack in strong terms, noting that the vehicle sustained severe damage and has been rendered inoperable. The IFRC reiterated that humanitarian personnel, ambulances, and medical facilities must be protected, stressing that no one should lose their life while providing medical assistance.

The killing underscores the persistent risks faced by aid workers in conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia, where armed groups remain active in remote zones.