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HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -Tsega Kidanu is usually in touch with her family in Ethiopia every week, but for the past 50 days or more she has not heard anything.
“Now almost 55 or 57 days, nothing. We have no connection [and] We do not know [if] do they live or die? We don’t know, ”Kidanu said.
Due to the conflict between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray state government, they say that communication was cut off and that those living in Tigray have no food, water or electricity. Hospitals and other buildings are being destroyed and civilians are being killed.
“They see a big building, they bang. Come young, kill, ”said Kidanu.
The Tigrayans are fleeing to neighboring Sudan, and Kidanu says worry is taking over his thoughts.
“I am going [to] work, I’m very sad. When I get home, I can’t speak well to my family because I think, ‘Who has died? We don’t know, ‘”Kidanu said.
Habtom Kahsaoi also has a family in Tigray that she cares about and wants the voiceless to be heard.
“We have a voice for the voiceless,” Kahsaoi said.
Kahsaoi said it’s difficult to see images on social media of those who died without knowing if someone could be recognized.
“We are afraid of Facebook and then Twitter, something like that. Because if any member of the family, if we see the death through Twitter or Facebook messengers … we are very, very sad about that situation, ”said Kahsaoi.
Right now they ask for help from the United States and any donation of money, clothes or medical assistance.
“I say ‘Happy New Year’ to all Americans or other people, to everyone, Happy New Year. But for us, for [our] family please pray to be safe, to see [them] again, ”Kidanu said.
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