By Batseba Seifu
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray has escalated into one of the world’s most severe emergencies, characterized by widespread displacement, acute food insecurity, and the systematic destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. The genocidal war, which erupted in November 2020, has devastated the region, leaving millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian access remains severely restricted and aid operations face significant challenges.
This report, covering the period from March to September 2024, provides a comprehensive analysis of the humanitarian conditions in Tigray, drawing insights from data provided by leading humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), among others. It aims to shed light on the ongoing crisis, highlight the urgent needs of the affected population, and propose actionable recommendations to address both immediate and long-term challenges.
Widespread Displacement and Its Devastating Impact
Displacement remains one of the most pressing and enduring challenges in Tigray. The genocidal war has uprooted millions of people from their homes, forcing them into overcrowded displacement camps, makeshift shelters, and host communities with already overstretched resources. As of March 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that region was home to approximately 950,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), accounting for 42% of the national displacement caseload.
The sheer scale of displacement has placed immense pressure on humanitarian agencies and local authorities. Displacement camps are overcrowded, with limited access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare services. Psychological trauma is also widespread, with many survivors struggling to cope with the horrors they have witnessed and the uncertainty surrounding their future.
Government-led return initiatives are scant and are further compounded by ongoing human rights abuses and humanitarian depravity. Further the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) reported that many returning IDPs face significant challenges in reclaiming their property and restoring their livelihoods. Homes and farmland have been damaged or destroyed during the war, and in some cases, have been occupied by others. Further, the report outlined tensions between IDPs and host communities further complicate the situation, as competition for scarce resources fuels social discord.
Food Insecurity: A Looming Catastrophe
Food insecurity in Tigray has reached alarming levels with hunger being the leading cause of death after the Pretoria Agreement. According to a March 2024 report by International Organization for Migration (IOM), the collapse of agricultural production due to the war, combined with climate shocks and market disruptions, has left a significant portion of the population without access to adequate food.
As food shortages persist, the most vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly, are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Malnutrition rates have soared, with reports of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition reaching unprecedented levels. The situation will further be exacerbated by the World Food Program’s shift from in-kind food distribution to a cash-based assistance model which was announced in January 2025. This will prove ineffective to reach those most in need, including the displaced, due to the lack of functioning markets and skyrocketing food prices. This is further compounded by the floating of the U.S. Dollar.
The Healthcare Crisis in Tigray
The destruction of healthcare infrastructure in Tigray has left millions without access to essential medical services. Hospitals and clinics have been looted or damaged rendering them non-operational. The shortage of medical supplies, including life-saving medications and vaccines, has exacerbated the health crisis, leaving many patients with chronic illnesses without the treatment they desperately need.
According to UNOCHA, outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, measles, and malaria have surged in displacement camps and host communities due to poor sanitation and overcrowding Pregnant women and new-borns are at high risk, with maternal and infant mortality rates rising sharply. The collapse of the healthcare system has also had severe psychological consequences, with many individuals suffering from untreated trauma and mental health disorders.
The U.S. government’s freeze on nearly all foreign assistance—encompassing critical health programs, development initiatives, and security support—compounds this existential threat to displaced communities and host communities in Tigray.
The Role of Corruption and Mismanagement
Corruption and mismanagement have further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Tigray. Reports of aid diversion, misallocation of resources, and lack of transparency have undermined trust in relief efforts and hindered the delivery of assistance to those most in need. Some humanitarian actors have expressed concerns that aid intended for vulnerable populations is being intercepted by local authorities and armed groups for political or financial gain.
Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most. Greater oversight, accountability, and transparency in the allocation and distribution of humanitarian assistance are necessary to prevent further exploitation of the crisis for political or economic gain.
Recommendations for Addressing the Crisis
The humanitarian crisis in Tigray demands a coordinated, multi-faceted response that addresses both immediate and long-term needs. Urgent measures should include scaling up food aid, restoring healthcare services, and ensuring the protection of displaced populations. The decisions by the U.S. government to halt or foreign aid and WFP’s transition to cash based assistance must be reassessed.
In the long term, efforts must focus on peacebuilding, reconstruction, and economic recovery to enable the people of Tigray to rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
International actors must play a more proactive role in advocating for humanitarian access and providing the necessary financial and logistical support to sustain relief efforts.
The crisis in Tigray is a humanitarian catastrophe that requires immediate attention and sustained international commitment. Millions of lives are at stake, and the failure to act decisively could result in irreversible damage to the region and its people. The international community, humanitarian organizations as well as the national and regional governments must come together to address the crisis with the urgency and seriousness it demands.
Batseba Seifu holds a Masters of Public Administration from New York University and a BA in Law and Justice with short term trainings in International Humanitarian Law; Displacement, Conflict, and Protection; and Operational Research for Humanitarians. She has more than a decade of experience in public service from leading the Black Students Union at North Seattle College to designing and implementing e-learning programs for Peace and Security in Africa to her role as a Country Manager at an Irish social enterprise. Focused on the plight of Tigray, she’s dedicated to advocacy, research, and policy influence, bridging the gap between awareness and action.
