Tigray Faces Renewed Conflict as Power Struggle Erupts

The United Nations has issued a grave warning that President Donald Trump's suspension of U.S. overseas funding could result in millions of additional deaths from AIDS. This announcement came during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the potential consequences of a 90-day freeze on funding through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. "This is dramatic in many countries," Byanyima stated, highlighting that the U.S. is the largest provider of official development assistance worldwide. The suspension, ordered by Trump upon his return to office, has left humanitarian organizations scrambling to mitigate its effects. According to UNAIDS estimates, without necessary funding, additional AIDS-related deaths could increase by tenfold, reaching 6.3 million over five years, while new infections could rise to 8.7 million. Despite some life-saving treatments being exempt from the freeze, frontline workers in Africa report that healthcare facilities are already closing. Byanyima urged for immediate debt restructuring in affected nations to improve their health and education spending, as many are burdened by significant debt.

In Ethiopia, an alarming 9 million children currently lack access to education as the country grapples with a widespread humanitarian crisis. In 2023, the school-aged population reached approximately 35.4 million, yet only about 22.9 million were enrolled in schools, leaving over 35% of children out of formal education. The educational disruption stems from armed conflicts, natural disasters, tribal tensions, and economic instability. Since the onset of conflict between the federal government and the Tigray regional government in 2020, the situation has worsened, with significant infrastructure damage, particularly to schools. As of November 2024, around 10,000 schools were reported damaged, and more than 6,000 were closed due to violence and natural disasters, especially in regions such as Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali, and Afar. The consequences of this educational crisis are dire. Children out of school face increased risks of child labor, early marriage, and exploitation, while the lifelong disadvantages associated with lacking education hinder their personal and economic potential. Additionally, the absence of education perpetuates cycles of poverty and destabilizes societal cohesion. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the education crisis. Efforts to involve regional governments in finding resources for education have proven insufficient. Advocates are calling for immediate and sustained support from global partners to address the situation and encourage the Ethiopian government to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve internal conflicts. The scale of the crisis demands a coordinated humanitarian response, emphasizing the need for international recognition and assistance to help restore education in Ethiopia.

A significant health crisis is unfolding in Ethiopia as trachoma, an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, threatens the vision of countless individuals. The infection, which spreads through contact with infected people or through flies, has caused severe discomfort for many, including 35-year-old farmer Scheicho Scheifa, whose condition has turned his eyelids inwards and damaged his corneas. Women are disproportionately affected, with studies indicating they face blindness from trachoma up to four times more often than men, largely due to their frequent contact with children who are major carriers of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 103 million people live in areas endemic to trachoma worldwide, with nearly half of them located in Ethiopia. Despite suffering since childhood, Scheicho was hesitant to undergo surgery that could alleviate his condition due to fears stemming from his mother's unsuccessful treatment. However, following advice from local healthcare professionals, he recently underwent a successful surgical procedure in a rural health center, marking a significant step towards restoring his vision. Efforts are underway to combat trachoma in Ethiopia, including improving access to clean water and raising awareness about hygiene practices as preventive measures. While 21 countries have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health concern, experts believe that substantial improvements in living standards are necessary to achieve the same outcome in Ethiopia.