Children in Crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia

When large groups of people flee for their lives, when you have large families and when you are in shock you are unable to keep track of those for whom you are responsible. That is the way children become separated from parents and each other. There is no one at fault, it is the reality of conflict and chaos and fear.

Sadly, even when you are with family, socially disfunctional families become increasingly irrational during times of crisis and it is at such a time that the younger members of the family become victims of abuse and violence. 

Crowded together with other families, with no food, poor ammenities, if any... it is those nearest to you, the most vulnerable of a given group, who become targets for abuse and violence. 

Still others come having had the abuse done by the invaders, whoever they may be, who violate and rape. Attacking children and women touches the heart of the family, demoralising the heads of families and thus presumably weakening them, though they are simply farmers seeking to provide the basics for their families. 

We no longer check ages because the children who come need us. One girl who with her mother and older sister were raped in front of their father is slowly recovering her beautiful smile. Another child of 11, lost an arm because of being tied up and thrown down a cliff, the other arm is slowly healing but as yet she cannot feed herself. We have her and her mother with us in our safe house...

Other children who were unable to find family come to us, we help them search, some ten children have been reunited with family, or the parents come to our safe haven to look for them. The reunions are unabashedly emotional. 'My child, my child. You are alive, I found you!" 

Your help has made all the difference!