A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the north of Ethiopia, with more than two million people at risk of starvation due to drought, crop failure, and continued insecurity following a brutal war. The BBC has gained exclusive access to some of the worst affected areas in Tigray province, revealing the full scale of the emergency through satellite imagery.
The satellite images show dried-up reservoirs and parched farmlands, such as the Korir dam and reservoir, which are essential for irrigation and agriculture in the region. Without adequate rainfall, farmers are unable to survive off the land, leading to a reliance on food aid.
Displacement camps have been set up to provide refuge and humanitarian support, but the lack of rainfall has left many residents with no crops to harvest and eat. One camp near the town of Shire houses over 30,000 people, who are dependent on food aid for survival.
Children in the region are facing malnutrition, with hospitals treating increasing numbers of cases. The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing peak hunger season, where food supplies traditionally run low and crops must be planted for the upcoming harvest.
Political tensions and disputes between the Ethiopian government and aid agencies have further complicated the crisis, with conflicting reports on the severity of the situation. Aid agencies are calling for increased funding to address the extensive humanitarian needs in the region.
As the region waits for the much-needed rainfall to replenish reservoirs and farmlands, the future remains uncertain for the millions of people at risk of starvation in Tigray.
