Social
Mother Gives Birth to Quintuplets in Drought-Hit Tigray; Three Survive
BBC · 2 weeks ago · Read the Full Story on BBC
AI SUMMARY
A 25-year-old mother in drought-stricken Tigray gave birth to quintuplets, of whom three survived, highlighting the severe humanitarian and food security crisis in the region.
- Tsega Asterew, 25, and her husband Kibrom Niguse, 27, live in Simret Kebele, Abergele District, in the Central Zone of Tigray.
- On August 30, 2026, Tsega gave birth to quintuplets at Yechila Primary Hospital after being transported by ambulance.
- A prior medical examination during her sixth month of pregnancy had only indicated that she was carrying triplets.
- Out of the five newborns, three survived—two boys and one girl—while the third and fifth infants were stillborn due to developmental complications in the womb.
- Simret Kebele is severely affected by drought, which destroyed the family's planned corn harvest and left them without income or agricultural produce.
- Tsega suffered from anemia during her pregnancy, exacerbated by the harsh drought conditions and lack of proper nutrition and prenatal care.
- The family received a 5,000 Birr support payment from the district but has otherwise relied on help from others, prompting an appeal for government assistance.
- Dr. Gebreyohannes Niguse noted that severe drought and fuel shortages have halved monthly hospital deliveries to about 90, leading to a dangerous rise in home births.
- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that climate shocks and conflict have placed 21 districts in Tigray at high risk of famine, requiring emergency food assistance for 2.45 million people.
Related
Ministry of Labor and Skills Finalizes New Regulation for Domestic Workers
Sheger FM · 4 days ago
Ethiopian and Eritrean Refugees Face Diminishing Resettlement Hopes in Uganda
Deutsche Welle · last week
2026 Africa Impact Award Winners Announced
Meseret Media · last week
UNHCR Expresses Concern Over Safety of Refugees in Yemen
Deutsche Welle · last week