Relief Society of Tigray (REST)

In Ethiopia, years of devastating drought and famine have left a large percentage of the population dependent on food aid and assistance from international agencies. Almost 40% of the country’s population now live below the poverty line, making it one of the poorest nations in the world.

Ethiopia’s problems have been made worse by unsustainable farming practices that have left the soil vulnerable to floods and drought, increasingly brought on by climate change. The economy is based predominantly on agriculture and the majority of Ethiopians rely on subsistence farming in order to survive. Most live in rural areas, where levels of hunger and malnutrition are very high.

To address these problems, SCIAF has partnered with Relief Society of Tigray (REST), which works to reduce poverty in rural Tigray. REST is helping communities to better manage the natural resources they have so they can grow more food. The work they do includes agricultural training and building irrigation systems. In particular, they target vulnerable people such as young people and female-headed households who do not currently have land. Great importance is being placed on ensuring sustainability and on empowering individuals and communities to take control over their own lives and resources.

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Case Study - Alemthtsehy Adane

“You can’t imagine the difference before and after. Before we didn’t wash our clothes, send our children to school, we didn’t eat three times a day. Now our clothes are clean, the kids go to school, I wash myself every day and I eat 2-3 times a day” - Alemthtsehy Adane

Alemthtsehy Adane is a 45 year-old single mother of four. REST provided her with a water pump which has completely changed her way of life. Many women and children like Alemthtsehy have been provided with water pumps so they no longer have to walk for up to four hours a day to fetch water.

Alemthtsehy has also benefited from training in agriculture skills, such as ploughing and compost-making. These skills have enabled her to grow a variety of fruit and vegetables to both feed her family and sell at the local market. The extra money Alemthtsehy has earned from selling her vegetables means that she can fulfil her dream of sending her children to school.