Story summary:  

Tsige, a 26-year-old mother of one child, lives in Shiraro Woreda Central Tigray where she is building her own home. Previously, Tsige and her husband Hegush lived in Humera where they engaged in agriculture planting sesame on their farmland. However, with the escalation of the first-round conflict in Northern Ethiopia, they were forced to pause their farming in Humera due to safety concerns and transitioned their livelihood to small-scale trading.

Unfortunately, as the second-round conflict spread to their neighborhood of Shiraro in 2022, it destroyed all of their belongings. In August 2022, while Tsige was visiting neighbors, heavy shelling struck the middle of her small compound, destroying her home and burning all her property. Upon hearing the blast, she returned to find her house in ruins, with all her possessions lost in the ashes. Though deeply shocked and upset by this turn of events, she was relieved that none of her family members were harmed. She then sought shelter with her neighbors during this difficult time.

In response to the protracted two-year conflict that displaced residents of the area twice from their homes, Save the Children intervened in Shiraro Woreda with special focus. Save the Children provided support to residents of Shiraro who had returned home empty-handed, including those like Tsige who lost their living homes, through WASH/NFI kits and construction materials. Tsige and other program participants were selected by the Woreda administration and approved through a vetting process conducted by a committee elected freely by community members. This assistance was financially supported by the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund (EHF) in addition to the WASH consortium.  

Tsige Tekle’s story in her own words (Quotes): 

“My name is Tsige. I have a three-year-old son named Makbel. For years, my husband and I lived happily in Shiraro. But then the conflict in Northern Ethiopia began”.

“It took everything from us bit by bit. First, it took the farmland in Humera where my family made our living. Then in 2022, during another outbreak of violence, it destroyed our home completely. They left us with nothing - not even a single piece of clothing”.

“I once had possessions, but now I have nothing. I'm surviving thanks to the help of others. It is truly heartbreaking to rely on others for food and to face starvation for no reason”.

“There is no clean water in our neighborhood either. All the local health centers were damaged in the fighting. As a woman, I also need personal hygiene products, but those are too expensive for someone in my situation.

“Rebuilding our lives to what they once were is extremely difficult for many of us. But we remain hopeful that things will get better, even though we constantly face shortages of food and other hardships.

“I am very grateful for the support from Save the Children and its partners. Most of the house materials we have received from this support are very supportive especially for those of us with families.”

Background / Project information 

Save the Children is currently prioritizing rehabilitation efforts to address the urgent needs of displaced populations. A key focus is providing vulnerable communities, who have endured repeated displacement and destruction of homes, with critical materials and supplies they lack each time they return.

In collaboration with partners, intervention areas were identified and WASH NFI kits and construction/repair materials were distributed. Shiraro, located in central Tigray, was selected to receive support. Residents there had been displaced twice during the northern conflict, often leaving damaged homes with no possessions upon returning.

While rehabilitation needs across the region remained high, Save the Children working with the support of the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund and WASH consortium partners provided various materials to over 500 households and 2,500 individuals in Shiraro Woreda. Distributed items included kitchen materials for cooking and maintaining sanitation, such as liquid soap. Construction supplies like wood boards, ropes and tarps were also given to temporarily repair damaged houses. 

By distributing these necessary items, our goal is to help residents make progress on important rehabilitation and shelter requirements as they strive to resume their livelihoods. Ongoing support is needed in addressing the pressing needs and improving living conditions for those displaced by conflict. Save the Children remains committed to assisting the most vulnerable members of affected communities during their recovery.