This has been exacerbated by recurring droughts: the 2015/2016 El Niño-induced drought was the worst one in 50 years.

Together with GiZ Biodiversity Program and Tigray bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, our partners on the ground, we discuss and share ideas with these farmers on the value of protecting and restoring their forests while providing short-term alternative sources of income.

We make them part of the solution to bring back the forest and stop further degradation. The community role will be immense; example when need to decide on the installation of  physical barriers (with stones) for water conservation and reducing soil run-offs in case it rains.