Since November 2020, escalating conflict has forced more than 60,000 Ethiopians to flee their homes in the Tigray region—plunging the area into famine where at least 350,000 people are at risk of extreme hunger. Many have escaped to neighbouring countries like Sudan, with more than 20,000 refugees settling in Sudan’s Um Rakuba camp, where Mercy Corps runs the main health clinic.
Our team provides urgent medical care to the thousands of refugees at one health clinic in Um Rakuba camp. In addition to treating common illnesses like malaria and respiratory infections, the clinic must also coordinate care for patients experiencing COVID‑19 infections and other severe illnesses. However, there is limited stock of medical supplies and medication, including access to the COVID‑19 vaccine.
Kiros Alemu, 65, sits inside her tent with her husband Aynealem (centre), daughter Arsema (left) and grandson Dawit (right). She was a farmer from Humara, Ethiopia. When conflict broke out there, she and her neighbor fled on a long journey to Sudan. © Ala Kheir/Mercy Corps
