Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The goal of the programme is to cover the basic needs in the form of food / nutrition, access to water and sanitation facilities and quality health-care services of vulnerable populations affected by conflict (e.g. Tigray crisis) and other situations of violence in Ethiopia.

Expected results

The ICRC aims to achieve the following results per assistance sub-programme under the ICRC programme in Ethiopia 2021:

- Improved food production for 337,260 beneficiaries;

- Income support activities realized that benefit 63,000 beneficiaries;

- Living conditions of 30,000 people improved;

- Self-reliance and capacity of 19,821 people increased;

- Water and Habitat activities covering 291,501 people realized;

- 8 health centers supported;

- Water and Habitat situation of 12,900 detainees improved;

- 10 hospitals supported;

- 19 physical rehabilitation projects supported.

Target group / Beneficiaries

With a contribution of EUR 1 m, the ICRC will be able to reach the following target groups:

Food production for 42,200 people will be improved through seed and tool provision and support in agricultural techniques.

Living conditions of 4,000 people will be improved by provision of basic household necessities, such as kitchen sets, blankets, etc.

Local Implementing Partner: Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS)

Activities

The ICRC will support the following activities, among others:

- support in the form of cash and voucher assistance, where appropriate;

- provision / donation of seeds (sorghum, beans, maize, wheat, etc.) as well as tools;

- provision of agricultural cooperatives with supplies and financial / technical support to produce seeds for their communities;

- employ people in cash-for-work projects in farming communities;

- organize livestock-vaccination campaigns;

- pilot a project to insure livestock in selected communities and cover part of the premium;

- provide cash for covering essential needs, and/or setting up small businesses for returnee households with limited earnings;

- donate essential items, such as, but not limited to blankets, cooking sets, sleeping mats, soap, jerrycans, etc.

Context

Ethiopia has experienced rising political and ethnic tensions over the past few months that have boiled over in many areas of the country. The regions of most concern are currently Oromia, where armed violence between government and armed insurgence has escalated, and Tigray, which has seen extensive fighting since November 2020. The latter has led to a humanitarian crisis with around a million people affected and over 60.000 fleeing to neighboring Sudan.

Although IDPs and refugees have been encouraged to return home, people are hesitant due to recurring pockets of fighting. Many towns in the region have fallen victim to widespread looting and unrest in the wake of the violence. Sources of food and livelihoods have thus been destroyed on a broad scale, with external factors such as drought and locust further impacting the food security situation.

Many IDPs stay in host communities, where resources for meeting the increased needs are unavailable. As a result, living conditions for both residents and guests are dire. In some areas, water, health (including physical rehabilitation) and livelihood support services have to cope with inadequate resources or poorly maintained infrastructure. Especially health facilities are faced with additional strain from COVID-19.