As Ethiopia’s Tigray region grapples with lingering effects from a brutal civil war, the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. Despite the official end of hostilities in 2022, recent reports highlight a troubling uptick in violence against health facilities and personnel, raising alarms about the future of medical care in this war-torn area.
Ongoing Violence and Its Consequences
The Tigray conflict, which lasted from 2020 to 2022, reportedly claimed the lives of around 600,000 individuals and devastated the region’s healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals and clinics became targets, with health workers facing abduction and violence. Facilities were looted, occupied, and destroyed, contributing to what was once regarded as one of Ethiopia’s most effective regional health systems near total disintegration.
Comprehensive research indicates that attacks on healthcare continue unabated. Reports from the Organisation for Justice and Accountability in the Horn of Africa (OJAH) reveal that health workers have been subjected to violence, including arrests under new regional laws aimed at suppressing dissent. In nearby Amhara, drone strikes by government forces have further exacerbated the situation, destroying healthcare facilities and ambulances.
A Pattern of Impunity
The alarming trend of assaults on healthcare has persisted even after the war’s conclusion. In a joint report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and OJAH, evidence collected from 2024 to 2026 highlights the systemic targeting of medical staff, leading to calls for urgent action from both the Ethiopian government and the international community.
“Neither the Ethiopian government nor the international community has prioritised investigation and justice,” PHR and OJAH stated, stressing that the lack of accountability fosters a culture of impunity. Both the federal government and Tigray authorities have denied any violations of international law, but health professionals report an ongoing pattern of violence against them.
The Tigray Regional Health Bureau has warned that the healthcare system could face operational collapse due to critical shortages of medical supplies, fuel, and unpaid health workers. This grim reality is compounded by an escalation of military tensions, as forces from both the Ethiopian federal army and Tigray have been mobilising near the region’s borders, raising fears of a fresh outbreak of civil conflict.
International Response and Humanitarian Concerns
The United Nations has repeatedly called for de-escalation in Tigray, citing an already dire humanitarian situation. However, the OJAH report criticises UN agencies for lacking follow-up mechanisms and failing to adequately address the ongoing crisis.
“Accountability is essential to preventing further violence and breaking this cycle of impunity,” stated Lindsey Green, deputy director of research at PHR. “We cannot look away. Conflict-affected communities across northern Ethiopia deserve unimpeded access to healthcare, a renewed commitment to rebuilding, and peace, not more violence.”
The international community’s response has been inadequate, especially in light of the significant cuts to foreign aid. In 2025 alone, Ethiopia experienced a loss of $380 million (£281 million) in international assistance, severely affecting medical supplies and support services for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and food programmes.
Why it Matters
The ongoing crisis in Tigray goes beyond mere statistics; it represents a profound humanitarian emergency. The healthcare system, once a beacon of hope, now teeters on the edge of collapse amid a backdrop of violence, impunity, and political instability. As the international community grapples with its role, the need for concrete action to protect healthcare and support affected populations has never been more pressing. Ensuring the safety of health workers and facilities is not just a matter of policy; it is a moral imperative that will determine the future health and wellbeing of millions in Tigray and beyond.