This is a situation report for week 30 issued by the Tigray Region Emergency Coordination Centre.
The report is categorised in clusters. Here are some takeaways by cluster. The full report can be accessed from the attachment at the bottom.
Food cluster
- The Tigray government is trying to coordinate its efforts with that of Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRM).
- Food partners (USAID and WFP) have not resumed the provision of aid (the suspension has run for four months now.)
- IDPs in 17 towns have been supported with 3,100 MT tonnes of food items.
- Food partners are on the verge of rolling out a new aid distribution system. Small-scale distributions have been tried in 7 rural food distribution points.
- As part of the new system, food partners will set up 600 food distribution points in rural areas.
- The number of people who have resorted into beggary in towns has increased.
- IDPs in Endabaguna haven’t received food from food partners since their displacement in March.
- Food partners continue facing challenges in accessing some kebeles in Erob (Eastern), Zala Anbesa town (Eastern), Gulo Mekeda (Eastern), Egela (Central), Dima (North Western) and Tahtay Adiyabo (North Western) due to ongoing presence of armed actors and their movements along the international border and in contested areas.
Logistics cluster
- The Semera–Mekelle road is the only reliable path. Gondar — Shire is volatie; so is Kombolcha — Mekelle.
- Partners don’t report the arrival of their trucks on time.
Education cluster
- Tutorial for 10K Grade 12 students arranged for two months in the 4 Universities (Raya, Mekelle, Adigrat, Mekelle and Axum).
- School Principals from 2,492 schools are expected to attend training for two weeks.
- 552 schools are in an inaccessible woredas; 110 schools are hosting IDPs and other groups; 162 Schools are either fully damaged or are in the borders with Eritrea and Amhara.
Agriculture cluster
- Possible desert locust outbreak projected.
- And due to the siege, supplies of inputs like spray machines and PPE are not available.
Health cluster
- People drinking dirty water; healthcare system broken; health professionals not fully back. If cholera breaks out, the system is not ready to handle it.
- Since the 27 July 2023, 496 newly reported cases (170 new cases and 326 late reported cases) and 5 new deaths reported.
Shelter cluster
- IDPs living in merged classes in schools are experiencing overcrowded conditions, especially situation in Adigrat is particularly alarming, as students who resume schooling share the same compound with IDPs, leading to overcrowding and a lack of separate facilities.
CCCM cluster
- Due to the stalemate of relocation activities in the region, most schools are reopened in the presence of IDPs in the centers. The cluster is working with the Protection Cluster to monitor the situation till relocation is resumed.
- Food remains the #1 need.
Safety and security for TDF members who fight to save lives of unarmed Tigrayans
August 7, 2023 at 12:31 pm
In times of Military confrontation, People come up with innovative ways to protect the lives of freedom fighters—members of the Tigray Defense Force—who selflessly endanger their own security for the sake of our collective freedom. One such solution is to produce helmets using the numerous destroyed cars, military vehicles, artillery, and other materials that are piled up all around us and have become surplus as a result of offensive attacks during 2-years long war waged against Tigray .
The body concerned in Tigray should identify their untapped potential and use it to generate necessary goods like helmets rather than rejecting them as useless wreckage. By doing this,Tigray may increase the brave people fighting for justice’s protection and guarantee their security while engaged in combat. All people must be mindful of the importance of these wasted resources and thankful for the attention People are bringing to this issue because it has the potential to save countless lives.
Factories use various types of metals to manufacture soldier helmets. The choice of metal depends on a few factors like the desired strength, durability, and weight of the helmet. Some commonly used metals for soldier helmets include:
It’s important to note that the specific materials used like steel, alumunium, Aramid Fiber will depend on the helmet’s design, purpose, and the requirements set by military or defense organizations. The cost of each kind of helmet can vary significantly depending on various factors such as brand, quality, customization, and market demand. Additionally, prices can also vary between countries due to differences in manufacturing costs, import/export taxes, and distribution channels.
However, as a general guideline, steel helmets tend to be relatively affordable compared to other materials due to the widespread availability and lower production costs of steel. Aluminum helmets, on the other hand, may be slightly more expensive due to the use of lightweight yet durable material. Aramid fiber helmets, often incorporating metals, such as Kevlar, for additional protection, can be relatively expensive due to the high manufacturing costs of aramid fibers.
Prior to the widespread use of helmets, head injuries were a leading cause of death on the battlefield. During World War I, for example, soldiers who did not wear helmets were extremely vulnerable to head injuries caused by shrapnel, bullets, and artillery fragments. The introduction and mandatory use of helmets, particularly steel helmets like the iconic Brodie helmet, substantially reduced the number of fatalities from head wounds.
In World War II, helmets continued to be standard-issue and contributed to a decrease in the number of soldiers killed in action due to head injuries. The use of helmets persisted in subsequent conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. These helmets provided protection against projectiles and fragments, offering a significant advantage in terms of survival rates.
Modern military helmets are designed to provide even greater protection. They are made from advanced materials such as Kevlar, which can withstand high-velocity impacts and offer superior ballistic protection. This has further minimized the number of fatalities and debilitating head injuries in recent conflicts, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
While it is difficult to isolate the impact of helmets on overall casualty rates, it is widely recognized that they have saved countless lives throughout history. Helmets have proven to be an essential piece of protective equipment that significantly lowers the risk of fatal head injuries on the battlefield
Unfortunately, no one is currently visible wearing a protective helmet, and several TDF members are suffering head injuries and are unable to receive medical care abroad. Surprisingly ,Military personnel of Dergue ( servants ofgenocider Mengistu H.) had helmets.
In conclusion, A helmet offers a possibly life-saving precaution that outweighs the requirement for medical care from famous experts and the high cost of diagnosis. It is generally agreed upon that prevention is better than cure(Desiderius Erasmus).
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Benjamin Franklin
Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them.Albert Einstein
Prevention is so much better than healing because it saves the labor of being sick.Thomas Adams