DW Amharic – Conflict and draught displace residents in Wag-Hemra to surrounding towns
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Conflict and draught displace residents in Wag-Hemra to surrounding towns
Esayas Gelaw
September 14, 2026 (Meskerem 4, 2019 EC)
Over the past five months conflict between ADM (Agew Shengo) militants and state forces displaced residents of Tsagibji and Abergele districts of Wag-Hemra Zone in Amhara Region to Sekota City where they had taken refuge however lack of adequate humanitarian relief from authorities and intensifying drought have displaced them to Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dessie, and Gonder.
Starting from Miyazia 2018 EC (corresponds to early April/May 2026), ADM (Agew Shengo) militants have taken control of Tsagibji and Abergele districts of Wag-Hemra Zone in Amhara Region displacing residents to Sekota City where they have remained over the past five months, however lack of humanitarian relief from authorities has displaced them to other towns including Addis Ababa.
Among the displaced residents is Woizero Biru Ageze who said intensifying drought has forced everyone in the area to leave.
“We are facing hardship, drought has intensified in our homeland, the number of displaced persons including children has increased. The people there have all disappeared in exile. Students have had to interrupt their education to leave when they were left with nothing to eat or drink. They have left for Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, to Dessie...anywhere for refuge, they have gone to Gonder. Those who can trade trade, the meek and the pregnant beg to eat.”
Another source who spoke to Deutsche Welle was Ato Yigzaw Kiros said starting from September 11th (Meskerem 1st) there were two days of fighting in the area between ADM militants and state forces. “Yes, they returned today on the holiday and the day before. It was on Kidane Mihret, in the Tirari area, on the line towards Sekota, from Abergele to Sekota. There are militias, there are ENDF, but I think it was the ENDF which turned them back. They went to their area. The usual rainfall from the rainy season did not come, causing further suffering for the displaced people” said Ato Yigzaw, adding that the people have been forced to leave the area.
“The people have begun their journey to Addis Ababa. Everyone who was staying here has gone to Bahir Dar and towards Addis Ababa. As a result of the drought. There is nothing here...despite being the rainy season...there is nothing, there is drought currently. There used to be sorghum and corn, to be harvested, but half of it is not expected to amount to anything.” Children were expected to start their first day of classes tomorrow for the 2019 school year but they have instead followed their parents escaping the situation says Tsagibji District Kebele 06 school administrator Ato Zewdu Girmay.
“Today was supposed to be the first day of school based on the regional calendar. I have not encountered any students; we did not meet our registration targets. We did not receive enough students which registered. Because half were displaced to Sekota, while the other half were displaced to other major cities. The others are not sending their children due to fears of conscription.”
At this time Tsagibji and Abergele districts are under the control of ADM militants which have imposed fines on residents which has contributed to the hardships caused by the drought and other problems, they say.
“As a result of the civil conflict the people have been displaced. The drought has also meant a lack of rainfall from nature as well. The shortage of rainfall has caused problems for the people, half are displaced, while the other half face suffering. On top of this the other force there is gathering logistics. Each person is required to give one goat and 2,000 birr, they are collecting 5 cans, so we are facing problems.”
In a previous interview with Deutsche Welle, the zone’s Disaster Risk and Management Commission Liaison Office head Ato Mihret Melaku had told DW that food assistance was being provided to over 56,000 people have been displaced from five districts within Wag Hemra Zone including Tsagibji, Abergele, Ofla, Korem in addition to Alamata City. Repeated efforts to contact him again regarding the latest displacement of residents due to lack of food assistance were not successful, as he did not provide any response.
Esayas Gelaw
Azeb Tadesse
Yohannes Gebreegziabher
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