The effects of the Tigrai siege on household livelihoods and coping strategies in Mekelle City, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of the Tigrai war and siege on household livelihood sources and identifies the coping mechanisms adopted in Mekelle City. A cross-sectional household survey of randomly selected respondents was conducted and analysed using a coping strategy index and descriptive analysis. The results revealed that most of the respondents lost their livelihoods due to the war and siege. The study also confirmed that households with the pre-war occupations of government employee, handcrafter, daily labourer, and metal- and woodworker suffered the most. The study concludes that the siege has interrupted the livelihoods of the people in Mekelle City and most of them are waiting for humanitarian food aid. This study advises households to diversify their income sources to cope with man-made shocks and thereby reduce risk. It also recommends that the international community intervene and support the warring parties to settle their political differences peacefully.