The Tigray region is the most northerly region of Ethiopia bordering Eritrea to the north, Sudan to the west, the Afar Region to the east and the Amhara Region to the south. The region has an estimated area of 50,078.64 km2.

The Tigray region has an estimated total population of 4,334,996, consisting of 2,136,000 men and 2,198,996 women. 3,519,000 or 81.2% of the population are estimated to be rural inhabitants, while 816,000 or 18.8% are urban. The region has an estimated density of 86.56 people per km2 (CSA, 2005).

The CSA estimated in 2005 that there are a total of 2,713,750 cattle (representing 7.0% of Ethiopia's total cattle), 72,640 sheep (0.42%), 208,970 goats (1.61%), 1,200 horses (less than 0.1%), 9,190 mules (6.24%), 386,600 asses (15.43%), 32,650 camels (7.15%) in the Tigrai region.

ESGPIP's target woredas in the Tigrai region

The ESGPIP operated in four woredas of the total of 36 woredas in the Tigrai Region. The woredas included Abergelle, Alamata, Hawzien and Wukro.

Abergele

Abergele is part of the central Zone, Abergele is bordered on the south and west by the Amhara Region, then by the Tekeze River on the west, on the north by Kola Tembien, on the east by Degua Tembien and on the southeast by the Debubawi (Southern) Zone. Towns in Abergele include Agbe and Yechila.

The woreda has an estimated total population of 77,980, of whom 38,780 are male and 39,200 are female (CSA, 2005); 4,075 or 5.23% of the woreda population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zonal average of 23.9%. With an estimated area of 1,350 Km2, Abergele has an estimated population density of 58 persons per Km2, which is less than the Zonal average of 124.

Alamata

Alamata is part of the southern Zone and is bordered on the south and west by the Amhara Region, on the northwest by the Ofla woreda, and on the northeast by Raya Azebo.

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 137,190, of whom 69,270 are male and 67,918 are female; 56,161 or 40.94% of its population are urban dwellers, which is greater than the Zonal average of 29.1%. With an estimated area of 550 Km2, Alamata has an estimated population density of 249 persons per Km2, which is almost double the Zonal average of 133.

Hawzen

Hawzen is part of the eastern Zone. Hawzen is bordered on the south by Wukro, on the west by the Mehakelegnaw (Central) Zone, on the north by Ganta Afeshum, and on the east by Saesi Tsaedaemba. There are several local monolithic churches in this woreda.

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Hawzen woreda has an estimated total population of 124,688 (64,050 males and 60,638 females). Some 6,664 or 5.34% of the woreda population is urban, which is less than the Zone average of 19.6%. With an estimated area of 806 Km2, Hawzen has an estimated population density of 155 persons per Km2, which is greater than the Zone average of 142.

Wukro

Wukro is part of the eastern Zone. It is bordered on the south by the Southern Zone, on the west by the Central Zone, on the north by Hawzen, and on the east by Atsbi Wenbertaworeda.

The woreda has an estimated total population of 121,260 (62,043 males and 59,217 females); 34,632 or 28.56% of the population are urban dwellers. With an estimated area of 988 Km2, Wukro has an estimated population density of 123 persons per Km2, which is less than the Zone average of 142.