As a consequence of the conflict that started in November 2020, households in all the six zones of Tigray have lost both stocks and assets, including food stocks, seeds, agricultural tools, and livestock. The conflict commenced at the peak of what would have been the main 2020 harvest season, before many households had the opportunity to harvest their crops. An estimated 90% of the harvest was lost.

Destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure and interruption of services has exacerbated pre-conflict challenges in terms of availability and access to safe water and appropriate sanitation facilities. Unsafe water sources increase the risk of disease outbreaks, in particular during the rainy season. Without proper access to water and installations for handwashing, the risk of COVID-19 transmission is also heightened.

Expected Results

1)      Enhanced access to on-/off-farm livelihood opportunities for conflict-affected households.

2)      Improved access to water for consumption, hygiene, and productive use and communal sanitation.

3)      Improved watershed productivity through the promotion of climate smart approaches.

4)      Locally-adapted Women Lead in Emergencies (WLiE) approach developed and piloted, documented, and disseminated.

Main Activities

• Provide support to farmers to rebuild/take-up sustainable, climate smart agricultural livelihoods.
• Provide support to livestock holders to rebuild/take-up sustainable livelihood activities.
• Provide support to women and youth to rebuild/take-up sustainable off-farm “green” livelihoods.
• Support local cooperatives/associations involved in the supply chain to reinitiate their activities.
• Rehabilitate/expand/upgrade basic water infrastructure impacted by the conflict.
• Provide water filtration kits.
• Rehabilitate/expand/upgrade school water and sanitation infrastructure impacted by the conflict.
• Support community irrigation system rehabilitation and management.
• Support community watershed development and management.
• Support community seedling production and nursery management.
• Provision of ecologically suitable seeds and seedlings for improved fodder production.
• Locally adapt and pilot CARE’s Women Lead in Emergencies (WLiE) approach.