In brief
"After surviving a devastating explosion on his way home from school, 17-year-old Berhane Haile now navigates life with a prosthetic leg. His journey reflects the lingering impacts of Ethiopia's brutal civil war, as communities still grapple with threats from unexploded munitions and the challenge of rebuilding their lives."
Berhane Haile, a 17-year-old student from the remote mountainous region of Tigray, Ethiopia, faced life-altering consequences after stepping on a hidden explosive on his way home from school earlier this year. The explosion not only took his left leg but also parts of his hands, leaving him with permanent injuries that reshaped his future."I was thrown backward; blood was everywhere," he recounted with a trembling voice about that fateful day. His desperate journey to the nearest hospital in Adwa involved a two-hour trek carried by his father and villagers over rugged terrain.The area around Berhane’s home was littered with remnants of the recent civil war that spanned two years, further deepening the humanitarian crisis. Unexploded ordnance—including grenades and shells—was left behind from the fighting that erupted between Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan fighters in late 2020. The violence claimed an estimated half a million lives, according to the African Union.Despite a peace deal reached in late 2022, the threat of these weapons persists. Tragically, Berhane's misstep occurred when he diverted from his usual path, hoping to prevent his family's livestock from trespassing. Since January 2023, the Red Cross recorded nearly 400 victims due to accidental explosions, with an alarming 80% of those being children.In the aftermath of these tragedies, communities have taken to marking hazardous areas, often painting stones red to warn residents of lurking ordnance. Efforts to clear the remnants of war face numerous challenges; local authorities lack resources and expertise to safely dispose of explosives.Despite the cessation of gunfire that once plagued his village, Berhane's life has not returned to normal. The war's scars run deep for him—he lost an older brother in the conflict and remains close to a sister who is rehabilitating from serious injuries, while another sister has faced displacement. A humanitarian group provided Berhane with a prosthetic leg that enabled him to walk again, but he had to relocate to Adwa to attend school.His determination to pursue an education has become the cornerstone of his resilience. Adapting to his new life in a town where he can still access schooling, Berhane reflects on the duality of his emotions—grappling with anger and gratitude for his survival."I want to become a civil servant," he declares, envisioning a future where he can support his family and community. As he navigates challenges that arise from his injuries, Berhane inspires those around him with his tenacity, shining a light on the ongoing struggles faced by many in Tigray amidst the remnants of war.
