Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Delena Teklay
Jan 18, 2025
The Tigray Disaster Relief Fund and the Organization for Social Service, Health and Development (OSSHD) – Tigray signed an MOU on December 12, 2025, to implement a sanitation project aimed at improving access to safe latrine facilities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 16 camps across Tigray.
This initiative responds directly to urgent public health and protection needs within IDP camps. Limited access to functional sanitation has forced many displaced families to resort to open defecation, exposing them to serious threats. Disturbing reports of fatal and attempted hyena attacks underscore the extreme risks IDPs face when basic sanitation is unavailable.
Beyond these immediate dangers, inadequate sanitation heightens the risk of disease outbreaks and further undermines the safety and dignity of displaced women, children, and the elderly.
OSSHD-Tigray is leading on-the-ground implementation, drawing on its long-standing presence in IDP camps across the region. Current activities focus on desludging latrines. Once desludged, latrines remain usable for approximately three months before requiring servicing again.
TDRF’s current support ensures safe latrine access through March 2026, benefiting IDPs in the following camps based on a needs assessment:
Mekelle:
- Seba Care 4 IDP Site
- Maiweyni Secondary School/Mekelle Health Center
Shire:
- Five Angels IDP Site
- Shire Preparatory IDP Site
- Adi-Kentibay
- Embadanso Elementary School
- BGI
- Guna IDP Site
- Tsehaye IDP site
- Dehab Tesfay
- Midregenet IDP site
Sheraro:
- Semaetat Elementary School
- Sheraro High School
- Sheraro TVET/. Sheraro Mayani Hospital
Adigrat:
- Agazi School
- Meda Agame
This project is part of TDRF’s broader commitment to sustaining lifesaving, dignity-centered interventions for conflict-affected communities across Tigray. Continued support is critical to maintaining these services beyond the current response period.
Help us make this work sustainable. Become a monthly donor, share our campaigns to amplify awareness, or support ongoing sanitation efforts that protect lives and restore dignity. For questions or to get involved, contact us at info@tdrfund.org.