Tigist Belay: Ethiopian woman helping victims of California fires

Tigist Belay prepares to distribute relief items to survivors of Los Angeles fires on January 15, 2025.

Photo credit: Pool

Natural disasters can take a heavy toll on humanity in general. But they often bring out the best in humanity. Consider the California wildfires that have killed 27 people, including the 16 found dead in the Eaton area of Los Angeles, and others in the Palisades, one of the world’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

This loss has also brought out kind hearts. And one of them is Ethiopian Tigist Belay, who lives in Los Angeles. A fashion designer, who runs her business in the city, she has joined thousands of volunteers helping residents affected by the wildfires.

She and her two children are helping the victims.

“I have provided water, toilet paper, baby diapers, and a little bit of medicine,” she told BBC Amharic on Tuesday.

Tigist said the Ethiopian community had not been seriously affected by the fires, which are destroying homes and infrastructure. Two Kenyan families were evacuated from an area deemed unsafe, according to a dispatch from the Kenyan consulate in Los Angeles.

“The fire did not start in an area where most Ethiopians live,” she explained.

More than 5,800 structures have been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire, the worst in Los Angeles history.

Some 9,000 buildings have also been destroyed by the Eaton Fire in an area outside the city.

The disaster is expected to be one of the costliest wildfires in American history, with insurance losses expected to exceed $20 billion, and total economic losses could reach $50 billion, according to estimates published by JPMorgan.

Tigist explained that although her home was far from the wildfire, her business location was close to it.

“The fire was heading towards my business area, but it was stopped before it reached our area,” she said, explaining that her business was saved thanks to the efforts of firefighters.

“The fire started on Habesha (Ethiopian Christmas Day). It started when we were coming home from church. My friends were there too. It started in Malibu, which is a very rich neighbourhood. We didn’t think it would come close to our area,” she said, recalling the situation when the fire broke out two weeks ago.

“The fire continued all day, all night. Then it crossed to Pasadena. The next day it moved to Hollywood Hill and then to Studio Hill. It was unbelievable,” she says.

Tigist says that while there are a few Ethiopians whose businesses have been damaged in this wildfire, there have been no Ethiopian deaths that she is aware of.

“To my knowledge there are no any Ethiopians who have lost their lives or were injured due to the fire. There may be people who are sick. I know a few Ethiopians whose property was damaged. Some have had their homes damaged, a few others have their businesses damaged,” she said.

Tigist Belay prepares to distribute relief items to survivors of Los Angeles fires on January 15, 2025.

Photo credit: Pool

More than 137,000 people have been displaced by the wildfire, the most devastating in Los Angeles history.

“I felt like I was watching a movie. At the beginning I never felt like it was really happening,” says Tigist.

Weather forecasters in California have warned that the strong winds that have fuelled the fires around Los Angeles would continue this week. Firefighters are working to contain the blazes.

“Firefighters were trying to save lives. Because it happened so suddenly at an unexpected time, many people were unable to get out with their belongings and documents,” says Tigist.

“It’s very shocking. In many places I’ve seen, many people were left without anything,” she said, describing the dire situation.

Tigist says she and her children are helping to those affected by the fires.

“We lined up to help. Many people came out to help. This reminded me of the situation in Ethiopia and the contrast between the two made me emotional,” she said, referring to the lack of such help for those in need in Ethiopia.

Strong winds and a lack of rain have fuelled the fires, and experts say climate change is also a factor.

“I have to do my best because this is the country where my children were born and raised and where I live,” says Tigist.

Explaining why she got her children involved in the relief effort, she said: “My children always known me to help Ethiopia and Ethiopians. So, this time I want to teach them that we should all help when there is a problem in America, where they were born. So that they know that humanity is the same for all people.”

“Every human being must come together to deal with such problems. If I have it today, I may lose it tomorrow,” says Tigist, noting that most of the people affected by the wildfires had good living conditions, but were made homeless in one day.

She also urges Ethiopians to mobilise those back home.

Tigist is known for helping people in Debre Birhan, a city in the central Amhara region, and other areas of Ethiopia.

She has also founded an organisation to aid people affected by famine in the Amhara region.