The war in Tigray, where most people rely on agriculture, has devastated livestock and the veterinary systems that sustain them. Clinics have been destroyed, and critical medical supplies lost, leaving communities unable to protect animal health or maintain their livelihoods.
According to the CITG report, 4,425 households lost around 3.6 million veterinary items, with total damage estimated at over US$93 million. This figure reflects not just financial loss, but the collapse of essential animal healthcare services.
The pattern of damage tells a deeper story. Nearly half of the losses (about US$44 million) came from outright destruction, while looting and theft together accounted for almost as much (around US$43 million). This balance suggests a combination of deliberate destruction and systematic removal of resources, rather than incidental wartime damage.
What is most alarming is the severity: over 96% of the damage was complete, meaning the vast majority of equipment and supplies were entirely destroyed and left unusable. Only a very small share remained partially recoverable. In practical terms, this has left veterinary services almost nonfunctional across affected areas.
Responsibility is also highly concentrated. The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) accounts for about 56% of the damage, followed by the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) at roughly 40%. Together, they represent more than 96% of total losses, while other groups contributed only marginally.
Overall, the findings reveal a large-scale, systematic dismantling of Tigray’s veterinary infrastructure. Beyond the numbers, the impact is clear: weakened livestock systems, reduced agricultural productivity, and growing risks to food security and rural survival.
For the details, see the full report, from page 65:https://citghub.org/report-on-tigrays-productive-sector-and-livelihood-effects-and-impacts-of-the-war-siege-and-blockade-volume-1/
