Nearly 50,000 people in Tselemti district, northwestern Tigray, are facing hunger and displacement as a severe drought devastates the area, while more than 9,000 livestock have already died, local officials said

Some “9,367 households, accounting for 49,799 people, face danger. Some have already begun leaving the area in search of food. So far, 807 cattle, 8,351 sheep and goats, 108 donkeys, and two camels have died from hunger.

Farmers are being displaced in an effort to save their remaining livestock,” said Nega Adugna, administrator of Laelay Tselemti district, speaking to regional media.

The administrator added that six localities in the district are affected. “These areas border Kola Tembien, which had previously been hit by drought.

Three districts in particular: Meeda, Midre-Hamso, and Degerbay, are in a critical condition,” he noted.