The security situation in the Tigray region remains unstable and unpredictable. Fighting continues to be reported in several regions. The situation is particularly volatile in rural areas where large numbers of people are believed to have fled. The need for emergency aid in Tigray remains very high. There is an urgent need for food and nutrition support, emergency shelters, education in shelters and WASH support. Besides, health services need to be rehabilitated. Survivors of gender-based violence should be supported with mental health and psychological support and dignity kits.
The aid organizations of the Dutch Relief Alliance are working together to deliver life-saving aid and essential services. The organizations each bring their own expertise to the table. This consists of:
- Food security: It is important to rapidly improve the food security situation of households. The food security will further deteriorate in the coming months as Tigray enters the lean season (June till September). Farmers missed the farming season due to the conflict. Therefore, they have been unable to cultivate and plant crops. In addition, most of the food stocks were already depleted due to lootings and the misfunctioning of markets. That’s why both immediate lifesaving as well as long term sustainable food and livelihood support is urgently needed. Food items will be provided.
- WASH: Partners set up handwashing facilities in public spaces, distribute soap and hand sanitisers in health centres, schools and IDP centres. We distribute menstrual hygiene items for women. Partners support IDPs and host communities with water trucking, as well as the rehabilitation of construction of 12 water points to provide safe water and communal latrines. Besides, water filters and water treatment chemicals are distributed.
- Health: damaged health facility centres are rehabilitated. Those are provided with medical supplies, equipment and medicines. We provide medical healthcare through mobile medical teams in hard-to-reach areas. Health staff are trained on mental health first aid (MHFA) and sexual and gender-based violence services (SGBV).
- Nutrition: mobile health and nutrition clinics go to hard-to-reach areas. People, including children and pregnant and lactating women, are screened and treated for under- and malnutrition.
- Shelter: people are provided house repairing materials, mattresses, blankets and kitchen items.
- Protection: partners provide psychological first aid (including MHPSS) and referral services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, among which many women and girls. Children who have been separated from their families will be placed under alternative care or reunited with their immediate family if possible and safe to do so.
- Cash assistance: Partners will provide three rounds of cash transfer to conflict affected households. Three rounds of unrestricted, multipurpose cash transfer provided monthly during three months supports and empowers households with a stable, reliable source of income for basic needs whilst families recover from their livelihoods and transition from emergency to recovery.
