Weapon contamination poses grave risks in Tigray, Oromia: ICRC
April 5, 2025
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that weapon contamination continues to endanger communities in Tigray and Oromia as unexploded ordnances and other remnants of war continue to pose serious risks to civilians, particularly schoolchildren.
The concerns were outlined in a statement released by ICRC this week.
“More than two years after heavy fighting, weapon contamination continues to pose a major threat in Tigray,” the ICRC said, adding that schools are among the high-risk areas, underscoring the lingering dangers in former conflict zones.
The report noted that while efforts to mitigate risks are ongoing, further work is required to clear explosive hazards in affected areas.
ICRC also highlighted its efforts to reduce threats by conducting risk-awareness sessions in these regions. The organization stressed the importance of community education to prevent accidents involving explosive remnants of war.
A separate report on the ICRC’s official website described a similar situation in western Oromia.
ICRC reported that its teams visited schools in two woredas of Kellem Wollega that had been severely affected by conflict. The report highlighted that the use of grenades and crossfire had caused extensive damage to school infrastructure, while explosive remnants were scattered across school premises.
According to the report, some classrooms were repurposed as storage for weapons.
In response, the ICRC introduced a program designed to educate students on identifying and avoiding hazardous materials, aiming to minimize the risk of injuries or fatalities.
The ICRC emphasized that educational initiatives are essential in regions where conflict has left behind dangerous remnants, posing ongoing threats to students and staff.
“The ICRC’s intervention reached over 2,000 schoolchildren,” the report stated. “We raised their awareness about the dangers of explosive ordnances through engaging and child-friendly sessions.”
Although the ICRC did not provide specific casualty figures, it reiterated that weapon contamination remains a major obstacle to post-conflict recovery. The organization further stated that it continues to assist local authorities in clearing explosive threats and educating vulnerable communities.
“While broad efforts continue in Tigray, other regions require similar action, particularly where active hostilities persist,” the ICRC report stated.
Reports indicate that the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia has left education systems in the Tigray and Amhara regions in disarray, with over 7,000 schools affected. Many sustained damages as a result of the fighting, while some were completely destroyed.
The ongoing conflict in the Amhara region has only exacerbated the problems, leaving millions of children unable to attend classes.
ICRC highlighted the difficulty of assessing the full extent of damage in the Oromia region due to ongoing conflict. However, the organization confirms that the education system there has faced major disruptions, including school closures, displacement, and infrastructure destruction.