Crisis in Ethiopia

A child sitting on the ground against the backdrop of a dry and barren desert landscape.

What is happening in Ethiopia right now?

The current situation in Ethiopia is dire. A combination of drought, displacement, and brutal conflict has left huge parts of the country in crisis.

The two-year civil war that raged in and around Tigray has caused widespread destruction and left physical and mental scars on the people there, including millions of children. Furthermore, millions of Ethiopians are now facing crisis levels of food insecurity and hunger.

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Map of Ethiopia in red, with the region of Tigray in the north highlighted in a darker shade of red.

How is Mary's Meals helping children in Tigray?

Following a devastating period of conflict, the last few months has seen many families able to leave displacement camps and return to their villages. The fighting may have ceased but for many a long journey still lies ahead to rebuild their communities which have fallen into disrepair.

Working with our incredible local partner, we have been able to resume school feeding in all 36 schools where children were receiving Mary’s Meals before the conflict (and pandemic-related closures).

The return of school feeding is a much-needed lifeline for families trying to rebuild their lives following months and years of displacement and trauma. Fear and anxiety still live in the minds of many while acute hunger is quickly on the rise across the region contributing to an already desperate situation.

Despite heavy damage to school buildings and destruction of key equipment, children are returning to classes in huge numbers where they’re able to get much-needed meals from our school feeding programme.

How can I help?

Working with our partner we aim to reach tens of thousands more children in Tigray with daily meals in school over the coming weeks and months. Your help now is needed more than ever.

By making a donation you’ll be bringing hope and stability to children who desperately need it as we work alongside our local partner to bring urgent relief to those suffering.

Please give what you can today. Thank you.

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A building with bullet holes strewn across the walls.

Image showing a classroom with debris scattered across the room as a result of recent conflict.

Image showing a storage shed with two of it's walls collapsed.

Image showing school buses that have been left charred and destroyed by the recent conflict.

Mary's Meals volunteer standing in a building where one of the walls has collapsed.

A child standing next to a tank which has been left abandoned and rusting.

Learn more about the current situation in Ethiopia

mid shot of group of people sitting and talking

Video reports from Ethiopia

A selection of video reports from the Mary's Meals team's latest visit to Tigray, Ethiopia.

A social safety net for Ethiopia’s most vulnerable families

Kidan’s story is a testament to how school feeding acts as a safety net for vulnerable families, allowing a
single mother to rebuild her livelihood while helping to ensure her children are healthy, happy, and
educated.

School meals act as a catalyst for social cohesion in Yemen

From her headteacher’s office at Idris Hanbalah School in Yemen, Ms. Ikhlas sees everything – the
parents at the gate each morning, the teachers in the corridors, and the children in the school yard. It
gives her a comprehensive view of the school’s large community which she says has been “deeply
affected by the ongoing crisis”.

School feeding reinforces social and community cohesion

Mary’s Meals fosters trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility for parents, teachers, and the
wider community engaged in delivering daily meals.

School feeding is a gamechanger for children’s health and wellbeing

Mary’s Meals ensures children experiencing vulnerability receive reliable access to nutritious
food that supports their health, growth, and development.