The United Nations has announced a $35m (£26m) emergency aid package for civilians caught up in the fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Government forces have been battling Tigray fighters since 4 November.

The UN said $25m will be used to purchase medicines for the sick and injured civilians in Ethiopia, and to buy food and drinking water.

A further $10.6m will be used to provide shelter, health care and drinking water for the tens of thousands of refugees who have fled to neighbouring Sudan.

“Conflicts like this are hard to stop once they get out of control, the lives they extinguish cannot be brought back, and the grievances they create are long lasting. Right now, children are cut off from help. We need unfettered access now,” UN emergency relief coordinator, Mark Lowcock, said.