The conflict 

It was in the middle of the night when the conflict erupted in a village in the Konzo Zone of Ethiopia that forced 40-year-old Makito, her family and many of her neighbours to flee for their lives. The conflict took everything they had from them: their livestock looted, their home destroyed, and their harvest and village burned down. 

After fleeing into a nearby forest, Makito and her family hid for days until it finally felt safe to flee again. But after arriving to safety, Makito now had no way to provide for her nine children and husband who suffered from mental illness as a result of the conflict.  

Makito beginning to cook for her nine children. After experiencing the compounding effects of both conflict and climate change, she’s so grateful for the IRC’s life-changing support. The IRC supports her through a multipurpose cash program that she uses to provide food and basic necessities for her family.
Makito beginning to cook for her nine children. After experiencing the compounding effects of both conflict and climate change, she’s so grateful for the IRC’s life-changing support. The IRC supports her through a multipurpose cash program that she uses to provide food and basic necessities for her family.
Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

“We used to live in peace before the war,” Makito said. “We used to farm in peace. Our kids used to go to school every day. But the war destroyed us.” 

Then the drought hit. 

The drought 

Since arriving in the Baide Belebela internal displacement site two years ago, Makito still hadn’t seen a drop of rain. 

“We haven’t seen any rain since we came here,” she said. 

Makito collects water at the closest watering point. With most of the other rivers dried up around her, this is the only one she can collect from. Here, people wash their clothes and drink from it along with their cattle.
Makito collects water at the closest watering point. With most of the other rivers dried up around her, this is the only one she can collect from. Here, people wash their clothes and drink from it along with their cattle.
Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

“We used to cultivate crops using irrigation. Now, the rivers are dried up. There is no grass for the goats. Now, everything is empty. We don’t have money to buy food.” 

People with little money make Cheka, a local drink, to sell to make a living. But Makito, a farmer without livestock or crops, no longer has enough to join this venture, taking away her ability to buy food for her family as well. 

 

Ethiopia’s many challenges 

Makito is one of many people in Ethiopia who are now experiencing the compounding effects of conflict on top of climate change. One of Africa’s most populous countries, Ethiopia is not only home to a large refugee population, but also internal displacements that require immediate humanitarian aid.  

Ethiopia’s population has experienced a myriad of challenging circumstances, including frequent shocks and disasters due to its geographical and economic profile, as well as conflicts and instability from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The inter-communal conflict in southwestern Ethiopia displaced many people like Makito from their homes. The conflict also destroyed a lot of the already poor infrastructure. 

While conflict forced Makito from her home, it’s climate change that’s also keeping her from being able to rebuild her life without access to the water and resources she needs to start farming again. 

Makito, 40, walks back to the Baide Balbala IDP camp after walking 3 kilometers to fetch water for her family. Along with her daughter, Makito makes this trek at least twice daily to supply her family with water. But the lack of rains and dried waterbeds make it nearly impossible to get enough drinking water.
Makito, 40, walks back to the Baide Balbala IDP camp after walking 3 kilometers to fetch water for her family. Along with her daughter, Makito makes this trek at least twice daily to supply her family with water. But the lack of rains and dried waterbeds make it nearly impossible to get enough drinking water.
Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

“We are hoping the rain will come after January. But we don’t have seeds even if it does. We also don’t have farming tools since we lost everything.” 

 

How the IRC and EU responded 

Through an IRC program, funded by the European Union (EU), Makito received four rounds of cash assistance totaling 8900 Ethiopian Birrs—approximately 150 Euros—giving her the support she needed to survive both the impacts of conflict and drought.  

A portrait of Makito with five of her nine children. Makito supports her nine children and husband who suffers from depression. Through the EU-funded IRC cash assistance program, Makito received four rounds of cash assistance totaling 8900 Ethiopian Birrs—approximately 150 Euros.
A portrait of Makito with five of her nine children. Makito supports her nine children and husband who suffers from depression. Through the EU-funded IRC cash assistance program, Makito received four rounds of cash assistance totaling 8900 Ethiopian Birrs—approximately 150 Euros.
Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

“I used the money for food, to buy soap, salt, and other things I needed in the house. I also bought scholastic materials for my kids.” 

She is so grateful for the life-changing support that’s helped her family during such challenging times: “We thank you very much for your support and we also need your support in the future,” she said. 

With EU funding for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), the IRC is distributing cash and basic emergency supplies, building safe water supply systems and sanitation facilities, and supporting government partners and community workers in maintaining health clinics throughout Ethiopia. 

The watering taps built through the EU-funded IRC’s WASH program at the Arfaide Health Center in Karat Woreda help numerous internally displaced families daily.
The watering taps built through the EU-funded IRC’s WASH program at the Arfaide Health Center in Karat Woreda help numerous internally displaced families daily.
Photo: Fahmo Mohammed for the IRC

Together, with the EU, we provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU helps people like Makito to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. 

About our work with the European Union

The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.