In today's world, 1958 Tigray famine has become a topic of relevance and interest for people from different fields and profiles. Whether they are researchers, professionals, students or simply curious individuals, 1958 Tigray famine has captured attention and generated debate in different spaces. From its impact on society to its global implications, 1958 Tigray famine has proven to be a topic that deserves to be explored and analyzed in depth. In this article, we will delve into the different dimensions of 1958 Tigray famine to understand its importance and its repercussions on our reality.
| 1958 Tigray famine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Location | Tigray and Wollo provinces |
| Period | 1957–1958 |
| Total deaths | 100,000 |
| Succeeded by | 1973–1975 Wollo famine |
The 1958 Tigray famine was a provincial famine in the Ethiopian Empire during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie.
After the end of World War II, Tigray, adorned with historical landmarks and churches scattered throughout its territory, was marred by the ravages of wars and the neglect of successive administrations. The region had been deeply affected by local rebellions and major wars against external aggressors, resulting in severe destruction to its agricultural infrastructure—the primary source of sustenance for 98% of its inhabitants.
By late 1957, following increasing pressures faced by rural communities, coupled with disasters such as droughts and locust raids, famine broke out in Tigray and parts of nearby Wollo. Haile Selassie's response to the famine was characterized by bureaucratic inertia and efforts to cover up the famine, in the end no significant government relief was given and up to 100,000 peasants starved to death.