Healing Tigray’s Scars: Two Years After War, Survivors Seek Recovery Amid Fragile Peace
Two years after the devastating 2020-2022 conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, survivors are working to rebuild their lives amidst cautious hopes for lasting peace. In the heart of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, the scars of war are still visible—both on the city’s buildings and its people. For many, recovery is not only about physical healing but also about finding resilience in the face of lasting trauma.
At a busy intersection, 28-year-old Asmelash Mariam navigates the crowded streets, his gait slowed by a prosthetic limb that has become part of his identity. Born into a farming family near Axum in northern Tigray, Asmelash had a modest life before the war. After completing high school, he became an elementary school teacher, dedicating himself to his community. However, as tensions escalated, he felt a strong call to defend his homeland and joined the forces aligned with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). “I thought it was important to defend the population. I was very motivated,” he recalls.
The Toll of Tigray’s Civil Conflict
Between 2020 and 2022, the Tigray region was ravaged by a brutal conflict. The Ethiopian federal government in Addis Ababa clashed with the TPLF, which had ruled the region since 1975. The violence also saw the involvement of militias from the neighboring Amhara region and the Eritrean army, which allied with Ethiopia’s federal forces. This multifaceted war claimed around 600,000 lives and forced over three million people to flee their homes, marking one of the most tragic chapters in Ethiopia’s recent history.
For Asmelash, the fighting came at a tremendous personal cost. While serving on the front lines in northwest Tigray, he was struck by a mortar shell, leading to the loss of his leg. “Life as a soldier is very hard,” he shares. “At first, I didn’t think about the pain because I was fighting for the cause. But when I was wounded, everything changed.” In the months that followed, he faced not only physical pain but a deep psychological crisis, even considering suicide. It wasn’t until he received a prosthetic leg that he began to regain hope, slowly finding a path toward recovery.
A Lifeline for Tigray’s Wounded: Mekelle Orthopedic and Physiotherapy Centre
Asmelash is just one of the thousands in Tigray working to rebuild their lives with the support of the Mekelle Orthopedic and Physiotherapy Centre (MOPC). Run by the Tigray Disabled Veterans Association (TDVA), MOPC is the only active rehabilitation facility in northern Ethiopia and has been a lifeline for those injured in the conflict. The center provides critical services, including physical therapy, prosthetic fittings, and mental health support, helping survivors like Asmelash adapt to their new realities.
Upon arrival at MOPC for his regular checkup, Asmelash is greeted warmly by the staff. The facility, which has operated for more than 20 years, has seen a surge in demand since the conflict ended, with many survivors requiring long-term care. Inside, around a dozen patients engage in rehabilitation exercises, guided by skilled physical therapists. Some, like Asmelash, learn to walk with prosthetics, while others focus on balance exercises to strengthen their muscles and regain mobility.
In one corner of the facility, technicians carefully inspect prosthetic limbs to ensure they function smoothly for their users. The center’s management reports that MOPC has provided free assistance to more than 180,000 people since its founding, with over 65,000 cases in the past four years alone. Many of the current patients are survivors of bombings or gunfire, and the majority are amputees or individuals with spinal injuries.
The Hidden Costs of War: Disabilities and Lack of Medical Care
The scale of injuries and disabilities resulting from the Tigray conflict is staggering. Preliminary studies indicate that nearly half of civilian casualties resulted from a lack of timely medical intervention. Approximately 44 percent of those wounded succumbed to their injuries due to inadequate healthcare access, while the remaining 56 percent survived but were left with lasting disabilities. These statistics underscore the critical need for accessible healthcare and rehabilitation services in post-conflict zones like Tigray.
For those who survived, facilities like MOPC offer a glimmer of hope. In addition to physical rehabilitation, MOPC emphasizes the importance of mental health support, recognizing that trauma from such a violent conflict is often as debilitating as physical injuries. Many of the center’s patients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues, requiring counseling and peer support to aid their emotional recovery.
Rebuilding Amidst Fragile Peace
The fragile peace that currently holds in Tigray has brought a cautious sense of optimism. Although the fighting has ceased, the region remains deeply scarred by the war’s impact. Many residents are focused on rebuilding their lives, and while the road to recovery is long, initiatives like MOPC represent a crucial part of that journey. Beyond individual healing, these efforts play an essential role in fostering community resilience and providing hope for a better future.
Asmelash, who now looks toward a future where he can support his family and resume a life disrupted by war, remains steadfast in his determination. “After getting a prosthetic leg, I started to recover. Now I can walk; I can work,” he says with a sense of pride. For him, the journey has been arduous, yet he remains hopeful that the peace will hold, allowing him and others to move forward.
The Importance of Continued Support and Awareness
The story of Tigray’s recovery serves as a powerful reminder of the need for sustained humanitarian support in post-conflict regions. Facilities like MOPC are essential for addressing the physical and psychological wounds left by war. However, continued international awareness and assistance are needed to ensure that these centers can operate and expand to meet the growing demand.
As the world watches Tigray’s journey toward healing, it is crucial to remember the human impact of such conflicts. For survivors like Asmelash and the thousands of others receiving care at MOPC, recovery is not just about restoring physical abilities—it is about reclaiming dignity, rebuilding lives, and finding hope amidst the devastation of war.
In the years to come, the people of Tigray hope to see lasting peace and stability, allowing them to rebuild not just their communities but their sense of security and well-being. Through resilience and support, Tigray’s war survivors are working to heal, one step at a time.
Source : Swifteradio.com
