In response to the major crises (conflicts, displacements, droughts, food insecurity, etc.) regularly faced by the people of Ethiopia, our sister association SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia and its local partner, Gayo Pastoral Development Initiative, have set up an emergency intervention, supported by our association with the backing of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. The aim is to meet the health and nutritional needs of pastoral communities, many of whom have lost their livelihoods as a result of the extreme drought, build the capacity of health services, provide a mobile service in rural areas, support household livelihoods and reduce the violence to which displaced women are exposed. The project has 3 components: health and nutrition, protection, livelihoods and food security.
Almost 30,500 beneficiaries
In the woreda (district) of Yabello, children under 5 suffering from acute malnutrition, pregnant or breastfeeding women, 150 households with children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and 285 civil servants and community workers benefit from the project. Since the Summer of 2023, the project has already reached more than 29,600 people (out of the 30,500 targeted), including 17,400 women. While the first two phases helped to build the capacity of the Yabello health centre so that it could better manage the public health emergency while meeting vital needs, the third phase focuses on food security and livelihoods by promoting nutritious crops and livestock farming.
Health and nutrition
Several training sessions were given at the Yabello health centre to improve the management of vaccinations and the treatment of diseases such as cholera and measles, as well as providing logistical support. Nearly 11,000 children were vaccinated, 1,400 women received antenatal care and 2,100 children received vitamins and deworming tablets.
Pregnant women, children and the elderly were given access to improved nutrition services. To this end, 32 community health workers have been trained in the management of acute malnutrition and 15 health professionals have been recruited to provide maternal and child nutrition care. In addition, mobile clinics have been set up to provide services in remote areas. In the end, some 7,700 children under the age of 5, 1,750 pregnant or breast-feeding women and 910 elderly people were examined.
Protecting women
at the Yabello hospital, around thirty carers working with victims of gender-based violence were supported, around thirty partners and employees were trained in the prevention of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse (PSHEA), and 300 women received awareness training on these questions. Finally, on 8 March, International Women’s Day, 280 people were educated about these issues.
Food security and livelihoods
This ongoing phase aims to consolidate the first phases by introducing more nutritious crops (moringa trees/vegetables, mung beans, green vegetables and carrots), beekeeping and goat rearing. So far, 600 goats and medicines to keep them healthy have been distributed to 150 households (some 950 beneficiaries, more than half of them women). In addition, as beekeeping plays an important role in sustainable agriculture and honey is a valuable nutritional product, 150 transitional hives (and equipment) with bee colony transfer have been distributed. Finally, 150 moringa trees, the ‘tree of life’, were planted and seeds (15,000 carrot seeds, 60,000 green vegetables, 750 kg mung bean seeds) were donated.
Creation of savings and loan groups
Last but not least, 15 village savings and loan associations have been set up for 150 women, with training provided in financial and business management. Each association has opened an account and received start-up capital, and the members have raised funds, thereby promoting the autonomy and sustainability of their activities.