Assess the Socio Economic and Psychological Challenges of Family of the Deceased Militia in the War with TPLF in the Case of East Belesa Word

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.