A devastating conflict in northern Ethiopia's Tigray state has left scores of civilians wounded, including many children. Iyerusalem, a 10-year-old double-amputee, is among them. She lost her legs during bombardments in the conflict and is now being treated at Ayder Comprehensive Specialised Hospital in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray. Iyerusalem's ordeal began when she was hit while in her compound with her older brother and their horse. Her brother and the horse died in the attack.
The conflict in Tigray began on September 23, when fighting broke out between the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal forces. The Ethiopian army subsequently pushed back the assault and seized Mekelle without a fight over the weekend, after TPLF leaders and troops abandoned the city. Many of the wounded, including Iyerusalem, live in remote villages hours from the hospital, along difficult roads where there has been fighting and shelling.
Iyerusalem's injuries are a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict. She comes from Qarsole village in Alamata district, south of Mekelle, and is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Her father, Hiluf, is anxiously watching over her and has pleaded for aid and assistance to help her recovery. Iyerusalem's desire is to receive medical treatment, walk again, and return to school.
The hospital is treating many patients with severe injuries. Twelve-year-old Hana is another victim, with her face torn apart by a blast that broke her leg and killed her mother and brother. Hana described the traumatic experience of hearing a loud explosion and the sound of it still haunting her. In a nearby room, Betelhem, 10, and her sister Melet, 6, are being treated for injuries sustained when their pregnant mother was killed by heavy artillery.
The hospital's emergency co-ordinator, Birhanu Hailemariam, reported that 34 people had been wounded in recent days, with 23 of them being children. One person had died, and staff were struggling with a lack of basic equipment and medicine, including anaesthesia. Despite the challenges, the hospital staff are doing their best to treat everyone.
The conflict has created an atmosphere of fear in the hospital, with patients and staff unsure of who carried out the bombardments. A doctor, who asked for anonymity, stated that both the rebels and the government were hurting people. Iyerusalem's father, Hiluf, avoided blaming either side, fearing reprisals. He called for peace, saying, "I do not want to fight with anyone. Let there be peace for us."
The situation in Tigray is dire, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. The 2020-22 Tigray war, which killed an estimated 600,000 people according to the African Union, is a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict. As the situation continues to unfold, there is a growing need for aid and assistance to help those affected by the fighting.
Key points
- Many children have been wounded in the conflict, with some suffering severe injuries.
- The hospital is struggling with a lack of basic equipment and medicine.
- The conflict has created an atmosphere of fear, with patients and staff unsure of who carried out the bombardments.
