IDPs from Erob

The war on Tigray, compounded by economic blockades and the collapse of basic services, left countless families in extreme poverty, unable to meet their most fundamental needs. Among the hardest hit were internally displaced people (IDPs) from the Erob area, who sought refuge in Adigrat. RDF (Raya Development Foundation) Canada identified this center as a priority site for humanitarian intervention, based on verified reports of widespread food insecurity and malnourishment—especially among mothers and children.

Given RDF’s limited budget, the organization focused its support on 100 of the most vulnerable female-led households within the Adigrat IDP center. These families were selected through a community-led screening process, coordinated by a committee formed with the approval of the Adigrat City Mayor. The committee registered beneficiaries based on agreed criteria, emphasizing households with small children and no means of support. RDF remitted the total grant in two equal installments to a joint bank account opened specifically for this purpose, and the funds were distributed in a public ceremony that included speeches, media coverage, and signed payroll documentation.

The project was completed successfully, with 315,000 birr distributed directly to beneficiaries and the remaining 26,000 birr allocated for coordination, media, and contingency. The process was transparent, inclusive, and well-documented—from committee formation and beneficiary screening to cash distribution and media interviews—demonstrating RDF’s commitment to accountability and compassionate action in support of displaced communities.