11/14/2020
We still don’t have an update for you on our friends at Lola Children’s Home in Mekelle. Our last contact with Abebe, the director, was about 2 weeks ago.
Collectively with other non profits all over the world, we are gathering our resources and contacts to attempt to reach them and other NGO’s in the area. Power, internet, etc have been shut down for last 11 days. There have been bombings and fighting over a week.
We’ve reached out to the Embassy, Senators, UNHCR and others and nobody has been able to connect yet. This morning, I received a text from a Addis Ababa contact, that word was internet is now working there. We’ve not been able to make connection, so it might be certain pockets of Tigray. They are trying Abebe’s phone several times a day and monitoring various Ethiopian social media outlets, to see if they can make contact.

We believe they are most likely all together at the Lola compound, but can’t be certain on this. We don’t know what resources are available. They have Plumpy nut which is a 500 calorie per pack nutritional supplement, some chickens, and limited water. We don’t know if the local markets are open or not. We do know Abebe will do everything possible to keep everyone safe and healthy.
At this time, from what we’ve been able to piece together, the Government is refusing to let humanitarian aid into Mekelle. Hopefully this will change soon, so the town can access resources.
Soon as we hear anything we will let you know. Here is a article from NPR about the conflicts.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a government offensive after accusing the Tigray People's Liberation Front of attacking Ethiopia's military. There are fears the conflict may escalate into civil war.
