Tigist Belay: Ethiopian woman helping victims of California fires

Natural disaster may be a costly toll on humans in general. But it often also brings out the best of humanity.

Picture the Californian wildfires over the past week where 27 people have died, including the 16 found dead in Eaton area in Los Angeles, and others in Palisades, one of the most high-end real estates in the world.

That loss has also brought forth kind hearts. And one of them is Ethiopian Tigist Belay, who now lives in Los Angeles.

A fashion designer who now runs her business in the city, she joined thousands of volunteers providing support to residents affected by the wildfires.

She is helping victims along with her two children. 

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

Tigist said that the Ethiopian community has not been seriously affected by the wildfires that 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.

Worst in Los Angeles history

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

About 5,300 homes were destroyed in the Pacific Palisades Fire, the worst in Los Angeles history.

Some 12, 300 buildings were also destroyed overall, in the greater Los Angeles area.

The disaster is expected to be one of the costliest wildfires in American history, with insurance losses expected to exceed $8 billion as the blazes spread across larger area.

According to the private forecasting agency AccuWeather, the wildfires have caused between $250 billion and $275 billion in damage so far.

Tigist explained that although her area of residence was far from the wildfire; her business location was close to the wildfire.

“The fire was heading toward my business area but It was stopped before it reach to our area,” she said in an interview with BBC Amharic, explaining that her business was saved due 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 also there. It started from Malibu, which is a very rich neighborhood. We didn't think it would reach close to our area,” she said, recalling the situation when the fire broke out a week ago.

Businesses damaged by the wildfire

“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 as far as she knows.

"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 who have had their property damaged. Some have had their homes damaged, few others had their businesses damaged," she said.

More than 137,000 people have been displaced by this 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 the Ethiopian-American Tigist.

Weather forecasters in California have warned that the strong winds that have fueled the fires around Los Angeles will continue this week.

Firefighters are working to contain the fires in three areas.

Officials said on Friday some of the strongest winds that had fueled the fire were subsiding. But the damage done already over the last ten days means many people will remain homeless. 

Providing support to those affected

It allowed firefighters to control the Palisades and Eaton fires which had burnt plenty of the outskirts of the city, according to a dispatch from the California Governor’s office. 

"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.

Three areas around Los Angeles continue to burn, and Tigist says she and her children are providing support to those affected by the fires.

"I haven't found any Ethiopians seeking help. We were only helping Americans here," she said.

"We were lined up to help. Many people came out to help. this made me remember the situation in Ethiopia and the opposite between the two made me emotional," she said citing to the lack of Such help to the needy in Ethiopia.

Strong winds and a lack of rain have fueled the wildfires, with experts saying climate change is also believed to be behind the fires.

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

With regard to why she made her children to take part in the relief effort, she said "My children have known me only providing help to 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 are equal for all people."

Became homeless in one day

"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 were in good living conditions but they became homeless in one day.

She also urges Ethiopians to mobilise to support Ethiopians who are dying from civil war and hunger.

Tigist is known for helping people in Debre Birhan and other areas in Ethiopia.

She has also founded an organisation to provide assistance to people affected by famine in Ethiopia's Amhara region.

Ethiopian-American Tigist Belay is a former fashion designer who now owns her own business in Los Angeles.

Officials also said that at least 16 people are still missing as the fires continue to rage. 

In response to the escalating danger, nearly 180,000 residents in Los Angeles have been ordered to evacuate, while an additional 200,000 have been given evacuation warnings. 

The wildfires have caused widespread destruction, leaving many people displaced and emergency services struggling to contain the flames. 

The situation remains dire, with officials closely monitoring the ongoing spread of the fires while volunteers providing assistance to victims.