Help the IPI Family - Emergencies in Ethiopia

My name is Filmawit, and I am from Tigray, Ethiopia. I currently live in Boston MA and work as a Research Associate at the Institute for Protein Innovation. I help make antibodies to speed up biological discovery and drug development.

Tigray is a region in Northern Ethiopia, and it has been in crisis for about six months. Ethiopian forces have committed heinous crimes, which you cannot even imagine, to the people of Tigray. The region is home to most of my family, including my mom and my two younger siblings.

Since November 2020, my family has been fighting to survive.

The danger is very real. Ethiopian soldiers are killing many people in Tigray. Forces bomb the region daily and access to electricity, banks, and communication with the outside has been denied.

 My family has fled to the city to escape from being killed. Though not completely safe, city living is better than staying in the smaller towns of Tigray, which are now under constant attack. This means that since November 2020, my family has not been able to work or support themselves financially.

I do not know when things will get better. Being the oldest child and living in America, I have been helping by sending money for food and rent. I am finding it hard to support both myself and my family. I am mentally exhausted, living in a constant state of worry. I feel powerless but push forward by working to get them what they need. I am seeking legal help to start the immigration process to bring my family to the United States.

I ask for your help, first by understanding the Tigray people are in pain and in danger, and that those of us outside the country are crying out to the international community to stop these war crimes. We need outside forces to help us. And you can get involved in the ways I mention below.

I am asking for your support on behalf of my family. You can make a donation on my GoFundMe page here.

Here are some additional options you can take:

·      Sign a petition

·      Participate in a Twitter camping as well

·      Make a donation to organizations involved in Tigray

For more information, check out these websites:

More information 

Omna Tigray Petition 

Stand with Tigray 
 
Those of us from Tigray cling to hope that the war against our people will end quickly so that we can reunite with our family safely.  I am so thankful for your kindness and will never forget what you are doing to help my family. I am also grateful for all the people at IPI, who are supporting me as I support my family. My deepest thanks to you all.