Mekelle University, in collaboration with the Women’s Association of Tigray (WAT) and the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), are conducting a study on the impact of resettlement on the environment, the health and socio-economic conditions of the communities in the lowlands of north-western Ethiopia. The study aims at assessing the impact of the Ethiopian resettlement program in terms of food security improvement, natural resource management, and health issues in three selected tabias (village clusters) from the Kafta Humera woreda in the western zone of Tigray and in two tabias from Metema woreda.

The study looks into two types of communities (host community and new settlers) and assesses the dynamics of the current resettlement scheme and the socio-economic situation of settlers, determines the livelihood strategies of the households, examines these strategies in relation to their impact on the sustainability of natural resources, assesses health risks associated with resettlement, and assesses the status of natural resources. Research is conducted through 2007 with a possible extension to 2 years depending on the results of the 1 year. The study is carried out in partnership with Awassa University which is conducting a similar study.

A combined national report will be produced based on the results of this study as well as the other study on resettlement carried out by Awassa University.

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