Tigray: A Cry from the Depths of Despair and Hope

The story of Tigray is one of resilience and endurance, yet it is also one of profound suffering and pain. For years, I have carried the dream of seeing Tigray free from hunger, despair, and division. It is a dream that took root in my heart the moment I became aware of myself, a vision for freedom and development not just for myself but for my entire community.

I have tried, in my own way, to contribute to this dream. My work has been focused on climate resilience, water management, and green development, areas I believe are critical to the future of our people. But the war that shattered Tigray has left wounds far deeper than I imagined. The suffering I see every day has turned my personal dream into a desperate cry for collective survival.

I was fortunate to find work with an international NGO after the war, engaging in emergency food assistance efforts. The salary I earn allows me to feed my family and meet my basic needs. But I cannot truly enjoy what I have, knowing that the streets of Tigray are filled with children and elders begging for a piece of bread to ease their hungry bellies. Their pain tears at my soul. Their struggle to live another day has become my own internal battle, a fire that burns inside me with no relief.

What hurts even more is seeing the divisions among our leaders, who seem more preoccupied with blaming each other than addressing the suffering of the people. Every day, statements of condemnation and disagreement flood our community, as though words alone can fill the empty stomachs of the displaced. Instead of uniting to solve Tigray’s internal problems using the expertise and resilience of its own people, our leaders seem to turn outward, seeking answers from those who once sought to destroy us. How can we entrust our future to those who brought us to the brink of annihilation?

I ask myself this question every day. I ask God, or anyone who will listen, to give me the tool I need to solve Tigray’s all-rounded problems. This tool is not a simple object—it is an idea, a framework, a way to build a future where no child or elder must beg for bread. It is the solution I long to forge, not just for my own peace of mind, but for the survival of an entire people.

In my vision for Tigray, our people are empowered to rebuild from the ground up. Communities are given the resources they need to thrive—climate-resilient seeds for farmers, small-scale water systems to fight drought, and renewable energy projects to combat deforestation and ensure sustainable growth. But development is not just about infrastructure; it is about people. Tigray’s greatest strength is its citizens, those who have endured unimaginable hardship and still stand ready to work for a better tomorrow.

We must create spaces for these voices to be heard. Our region is rich with experts, both within Tigray and among the diaspora. We need a network that brings these people together, allowing them to share knowledge, mentor local leaders, and develop solutions tailored to Tigray’s unique challenges. We do not need to depend entirely on external aid. While international support has been crucial, our long-term survival depends on building systems that reduce this dependency—through fair trade opportunities, investments in sustainable industries, and the transparent use of resources.

Above all, we need unity. The divisions among our leaders are tearing us apart at a time when we must stand together. Dialogue is essential, but it must be paired with action. Hunger and displacement cannot wait for political solutions. The immediate needs of the people must come first, and this requires leaders to put aside their differences and work as one.

Even as we address these practical challenges, we cannot ignore the emotional and psychological wounds left by war. The trauma of what we have endured has scarred us deeply. To heal as a people, we must create community-based initiatives that offer mental health support and restore our cultural identity. Healing the spirit of Tigray is just as important as rebuilding its infrastructure.

As I reflect on these challenges, I feel the weight of responsibility pressing on my heart. I dream of forging the perfect tool—a way to turn despair into hope, division into unity, and survival into thriving. I know that I cannot do this alone, and I call on those who share my vision to join me. Whether you are a Tigrayan, an ally from another region, or an international advocate for justice and development, your support can make a difference.

To those who hear this cry, I ask for your guidance, your resources, or even just your belief in this dream. Together, we can build the tool Tigray needs to transform its pain into progress. My heart burns with urgency, but it also burns with hope. I believe that change is possible, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Tigray can rise again—not as a region defined by suffering, but as a beacon of resilience and renewal. This is the vision that drives me forward, the dream I carry with every step. For the children, the elders, and all those who have endured so much, I will not stop searching for the way to bring this dream to life.