New York, June 12 -- Before sunrise each day, Gebremedihin Gebrekidan walks to his small farm in Gera Kebele, Walwa village, Abergelle Yichila woreda, in Ethiopia's Tigray region. A widower and father of six, he carries the full responsibility of parenting in an area repeatedly affected by drought and the lingering impacts of conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Despite his relentless effort, the harvest from his land only sustains his family for four to five months each year. The remainder of the year is marked by struggle, scarcity, and uncertainty. Yet Gebremedihin continues to do everything possible to provide for his children.

The most difficult moment of his life came when his four-year-old son, Adhen Gebremedihin, suddenly fell serious...