As in many other ongoing crises, women are often the civilians victims of conflicts.
The conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region between 2020 and 2022 displaced millions of people and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including the health system. Today, internally displaced populations and host communities remain vulnerable as access to health facilities is challenging in the still fragile context.
Perched in the mountains of Tigray, health centers are reopening with the support of ALIMA to care for displaced women. Since 2023, in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, ALIMA has been delivering maternal and child health care, gender-based violence services, primary health care, mental health support, and WASH activities.
“When I look into my baby’s eyes, I can’t help but smile!”
Expecting mother, Abeba had been suffering from heavy vaginal bleeding for a week—a dangerous sign during pregnancy. In most cases, she would have been referred to a hospital more than 20 kilometers away. But thanks to the reopening of the Aragure health center near her village, she was spared a long and difficult journey in her condition.
“Once I noticed my health problems, I was afraid of losing my baby and myself as well. Happily, I received care at my local clinic. Today, when I look into my baby’s eyes, I can’t help but smile, seeing how healthy he is.”
Amit is attending her check-ups and is being cared for at the Daere center for her upcoming delivery. This will be the first time she gives birth in a health facility, after having delivered her three previous children at home.
“I live far away, and I am relieved to be able to stay at the Daere health center during the week before my delivery.”
Providing Care and Above All, Training
Like in other countries, ALIMA operates in Ethiopia by responding both to immediate humanitarian emergencies and by sustainably strengthening the skills of local medical staff, such as Abeba and Birktawit. This approach reinforces public health structures and ensures better care for communities in the long term.
Birktawit, a 24-year-old midwife, and Abeba, a 23-year-old laboratory technician, are dedicated local healthcare workers from the Ethiopian Ministry at the Daerere Health Center. Birktawit provides essential maternal health services: conducting prenatal check-ups, assisting with safe deliveries, and offering postnatal counselling to displaced women, ensuring that mothers and newborns receive proper follow-up care.
Abeba supports her by performing essential laboratory tests, including malaria, HIV, and pregnancy screenings, enabling accurate and timely diagnoses. Together, they deliver vital care to displaced women, like Abeba and Amit.
In these remote areas of Ethiopia, these women caregivers provide essential care that saves lives. In 2024, ALIMA supported 24 health centers, trained 156 local staff and assisted 2 263 births in Ethiopia.
This project is supported by CDCS.
Photos: © ALIMA
