The effects of the Tigrai siege on household livelihoods and coping strategies in Mekelle City, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effects of the Tigrai war and siege on household livelihood sources and identifies the coping mechanisms adopted in Mekelle City. A cross-sectional household survey of randomly selected respondents was conducted and analysed using a coping strategy index and descriptive analysis. The results revealed that most of the respondents lost their livelihoods due to the war and siege. The study also confirmed that households with the pre-war occupations of government employee, handcrafter, daily labourer, and metal- and woodworker suffered the most. The study concludes that the siege has interrupted the livelihoods of the people in Mekelle City and most of them are waiting for humanitarian food aid. This study advises households to diversify their income sources to cope with man-made shocks and thereby reduce risk. It also recommends that the international community intervene and support the warring parties to settle their political differences peacefully.

KEYWORDS:

• Tigrai siege
• pre-war livelihood
• household coping strategies
• Mekelle residents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 The Tigrai Defense Force is an unofficial name used to describe the Tigrai army under the command of the Tigrai Regional Government.

2 In the context of this study, quality food means food which contains animal products, like eggs, meat, honey, milk, and milk products.

3 Interview transcripts are coded A for Ayder, S for Semien, Q for Quiha, H for Hadnet, HW for Hawelti, AH for Adi Haki, and K for Kedamay Weyane sub-cities.

4 Stands for standard deviation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Teklay Negash Gebregziabher

Teklay Negash Gebregziabher is an assistant professor in the department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Mekelle University. He obtained BA degree in Economics and MSc degree in Development Economics. He teaches undergraduate courses at the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has published several original research articles on food security, livelihood, and environment, and natural resource conservation practices.

Micheale Yifter Weldemicheal

Micheale Yifter Weldemicheal is an assistant professor in the department of Biotechnology at Mekelle University. He obtained his MSc in biotechnology. He has several published original and review articles in area of plant biotechnology.

Hadush Gebregziabher Tsegay

Hadush Gebregziabher Tsegay is an assistant professor in public health nutrition in the department of nutrition and dietetics at Mekelle University college health science school of public health. He has published both original and review articles in his field of study.

Gidey Kidu Mezgebo

Gidey Kidu Mezgebo is an assistant professor in the department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. He has an MSc degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy. He has published more than ten original articles in the area of natural resource economics, policy, environment and development studies.

Haftu Etsay Kelebe

Haftu Etsay Kelebe is an assistant professor at Mekelle University, Ethiopia specializing in agricultural and natural resources economics. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Natural Resources Economics and Management and M.Sc. degree in Economics at Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has more than 10 years of experience in teaching and research. His research experiences include livelihoods and poverty analysis, sustainable land management practices and community based natural resources management.

Guesh Endrias Haile

Guesh Endrias Haile is a lecturer in the department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. He has obtained an MSc degree in Agricultural Economics and Policy. He teaches undergraduate students in the department of Agricultural and Resources Economics at Mekelle University, Ethiopia.