Now in its 9th month the conflict in Tigray is more complicated.  Access to communities in need in eastern and southern Tigray improved. However, a blockage on the region means it is very difficult for humanitarian aid to enter Tigray and risks of famine are continuing to increase.  We have so far supported 343 households with one month supply of wheat and oil.  See photos at end. Currently it is not possible to transfer finance to Tigray or for people their to access cash.  As soon as banking and communications are restricted we hope to support a second round of food [18 July]

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Five months since conflict started in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, the humanitarian situation is dire and millions of people remain in need of life-saving support. There has been widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and local services and many people have fled their homes to escape the fighting, with no more than the clothes they were wearing.

People have sought safety in the major cities, but organisations don't have enough supplies to match the growing need. In Mekele, the capital of Tigray, at least 140,000 people have arrived - and numbers are increasing. There is a grave shortage of food and clean water. In early March, at one centre for 3,000 people, there were just 12 toilets. The local community has rallied around to provide shelter and cooked food. The Daughters of Charity were one of the first to respond, re-targeting their school feeding programme to support displaced people. They are now providing approximately 18,000 people with rice or bread once a day. They want to maintain this, and increase the nutritional content. They also want to provide more support for women and girls traumatised by the sexual violence which has taken place during the conflict.

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organization present in Ethiopia since 1927, their mission to serve the poorest and most disadvantaged regardless of faith. They have a long track record in helping Tigrayan communities survive conflict and drought - making donations go as far as possible.

Bev, Catherine, Clody, Freddie and Zoe have worked with and been hosted by communities in Tigray for many years, as have many of our friends and family. We hope that the contributions made through this page will enable some of the most vulnerable displaced people in Tigray to live in difficult circumstances with more dignity. This will include providing clothes, sanitary pads, and additional food to breastfeeding women, older women and men, the young, and people who are sick. The word Kbret means respect or dignity in Tigrinya. 

Photographer Eduardo Soteras shared some beautiful photos from his recent visit to Hawelti School in Mekele, where people are now sheltered, do have a look at the gallery.  

Thank you for your support.