23/03/2026
Before conflict erupted in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in November 2020, Mihret Tsigab, a 38-year-old mother of three, lived a life of hard work and independence. As a co-owner of a thriv-ing trade business and a prosperous farmer cultivating six hectares of land, her annual yield of over 90 quintals of maize and sesame provided not only for her family but also for her community. This life of security and abundance, however, was irrevocably shattered.
When the conflict between Tigray region & Federal government of Ethiopia happened due to the contested districts of Humera & Wolkait intensified in 2020, her husband fled toward the Ethio-Sudan border, seeking to escape the targeted dangers facing men. Faced with an im-possible choice, Mihret made the heartbreaking decision to flee on foot, carrying with her not only the weight of her family’s future but also her youngest child, a six-year-old boy, Ashenafi, a child with a disability who is unable to move independently. After months of displacement near the Tekeze River, the threat of drone bombardments and active fighting forced them to move again to Mekelle, where they sought safety at the Mai-Weyni IDP site.
Losing her livelihood was devastating. With no means to provide for her children, especially her son who requires specialized care, Mihret faced deep uncertainty.
Through the GNC-funded LWF project, her children now receive nutritious meals through a child feeding program, and her youngest son spends his days in a Child-Friendly Space — a safe place to play and regain strength.
“Thanks to the generous donation of GNC,” Mihret shares, “my children are now receiving food I couldn’t provide, and my child with a disability finds happiness and strength playing at the CFS.”
While challenges remain, the support has restored dignity and stability. As Mihret says, the project is not simply supporting her - it is “raising my children.”
Although the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) was signed in November 2022, renewed tensions in early 2026 have underscored the ongoing vulnerability of communities in Tigray. Many families displaced during the 2020–2022 conflict, including Mihret’s, continue to live with its lasting consequences.
Because humanitarian response is not only about relief. It is about protecting families’ right to nurture, care, and hope for a future.
LWF Ethiopia
