Abstract:
In Ethiopia, families of the deceased militia are exposed to different challenges during
Ethiopia also faced conflict in the northern part of the country with the Tigray People
Liberation Front (TPLF). The Ethiopian government called the mass war proclamation. This
study was, therefore, aimed to assessing the socio-economic and psychological challenges of
families of the deceased militias in the war with TPLF in the case of East Belesa Worda as a
case in point to fill the gaps. The study employed a qualitative approach and a
phenomenological design. A purposive sampling technique was deployed to select 8 study
participants. The data was collected from 22-29 May 2023 through in-depth interviews, key
informant interview and FGD. Thematic qualitative data analysis technique was employed to
analyze the data. In doing so, the collected data were transcribed, coded, organized, and
finally analyzed and interpreted qualitatively. The findings of this study showed that families
of the deceased militia in the war with TPLF was mostly faced multifaceted socio-economic
and complicated psychological challenges including, unsatisfied social support, demolition of
boundaries and fence of the house and farmland. Further, the coping mechanism to minimize
the challenge and to sustain the stability of the family of the deceased militias in the war with
TPLF these coping mechanism includes, limiting their basic need, engaging in additional
income sources, going to church to pray and discuss with the religious father, stopping
overeating or culture of the extravagant party. In addition, the finding of this study revealed
that the lived experiences of families of the deceased militias were in very traumatic, tragic,
and complicated one. Furthermore, Families of the deceased militia lost their hopes and self- confidences and got marginalized by the sudden of dead husband the pillar of the family. The
finding of this study indicted the future plane of the family were including avoiding the
symbol of sadness, stopping crying, teaching children, and sustaining the family. To sum up,
Holistic and comprehensive rehabilitation services need to be provided to families of the
deceased militia in the war with TPLF by the government, NGOs, and the community.
