(ERGO) – Conflict between Somali and Oromo communities has left around 100 Somali families displaced and struggling to survive on the outskirts of Jigjiga in Ethiopia’s Somali Region
The families, who fled from parts of Fafan zone, left their homes and livelihoods behind and have no alternative sources of income.
Abdinasir Ali Abdi, 43, said that his family often goes without even one meal a day since being displaced. He goes out every morning in search of casual work, but usually returns empty-handed.
The only work he finds is carrying goods at construction sites once or twice a week, earning less than $30 a month, which is too little to support his wife and three children.
“I used to be a farmer, and people worked for me. When I came here, I wasn’t used to working for others. I felt ashamed doing hard labour, but poverty forced me. Hunger has been my biggest challenge. Life in the city is expensive, and I can’t provide for my family,” he told Radio Ergo.
Abdinasir said his life was comfortable in his village of Karaare, in Tulli-Guleed district, where his family never worried about food or the basics of living.
They fled only with their lives, leaving behind 10 cows and 20 goats. “We don’t even know whether the livestock are alive or dead,” he said.
His family now lives in a fragile shelter made of iron sheets five kilometres outside Jigjiga, on land lent to them by a relative. The shelter cannot protect them from the cold or the scorching sun.
They fetch water from nearby neighbourhoods, carrying 20-litre jerrycans on foot, as water does not reach their area. Abdinasir said he cannot afford to rent a decent house with access to water and electricity.
“No aid agency or government body has come to help us. There’s no work here either. Life is extremely tough. Before displacement, I had yearly plans and goals. Now I live day to day with no future to look forward to,” he said.
The conflict between Somali and Oromo communities has lasted for more than 15 years. The latest outbreak earlier in October killed civilians, destroyed property, and displaced hundreds of pastoralist and farming families.
Abiib Tukaale Ambe used to live a stable life, owning livestock and farmland. Today, his family struggles to find food to cook once a day.
He is unemployed and they survive on small handouts, borrowed food, and occasional support from relatives.
Two of his children dropped out of primary and lower secondary school as he could no longer afford uniforms, pens, or notebooks, which are the items parents are required to buy to access the government’s free education.
“We eat only when something is available,” he said. “Some days we cook, other days we don’t. Sometimes the shopkeeper gives us food on credit, sometimes he refuses as he knows we can’t pay regularly. Only God knows our hardship,” Abiib said.
The father of five said he had high hopes for the future before conflict forced him out of Kararib village, where he owned 50 goats and a hectare and a half of farmland growing maize and wheat.
Losing those assets has left him dependent on others for survival, as he no longer has milk or crops to sell to support his family.
However, Abiib remains hopeful of returning home once peace is restored.
“I dream of going back to my land to farm again,” he said. “I used to harvest enough food to last a whole year. Here, every day is about wondering how to get our next meal.”
Meanwhile, Niman Mohamed Osman, a father of five, has been living with a host family in Jigjiga since fleeing from Jafi village in Fafan zone. They share whatever food is available with their hosts.
“I had a good life where I came from. I never thought about hunger,” Niman said. “When I arrived here, I was lost and had no idea where to turn. This life is hard. Only God knows the way out.”
He said they walked 21 kilometres to Jigjiga because they couldn’t afford transport. They left behind their five cows and 30 goats that were their source of livelihood, and fled with nothing.
The recurring clashes between the Somali and Oromo communities are rooted in land ownership disputes. The two regional administrations have so far failed to stop the violence that continues to cause the displacement of families.
