Edmonton-Strathcona MP and the NDP's international development critic Heather McPherson said she has been keeping a very close eye on the situation and her first priority is the safety of the detainees.

In Ethiopia, 13 Canadian citizens working with Alberta-based NGO Canadian Humanitarian are being detained after allegations surfaced that the group was handing out expired medication.

Spokesperson Justin Steed told Global News in a statement that three of the Canadians are staff members, while the other 10 are volunteers.