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Back Ground Information
Self Help Africa (SHA) is an international charity focused on promoting and implementing long- term rural development projects across fifteen African countries. The organization works directly with rural communities to help farm families increase their agricultural productivity and incomes.
This support includes providing training and technical assistance to enhance food production, diversify crops and incomes, and improve access to markets for surplus produce.
In Ethiopia, the Amhara region has significantly benefited from SHA's agricultural development projects. This region, where a majority of the population relies on rain-fed agriculture, is particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change and variability on agricultural production and food security. The ongoing climate challenges have been compounded by recent security threats, which have further destabilized the area.
The Amhara region, particularly East Gojam zone, faces severe security threats that have led to a multitude of problems including unsustainable community practices, reduced agricultural productivity, increased internal displacement, and various other social and economic challenges.
Reports from the Regional Disaster Prevention and Food Security Commissions and a multi- agency emergency need assessment highlight that the area is plagued by continuous conflicts between armed groups and the National Defense Force. This conflict has led to significant internal displacement, creating an emergency situation that demands urgent intervention.
Given these severe challenges, a critical humanitarian crisis is likely unless urgent preventive measures are implemented. SHA has responded by intervening in Enebse Sar Midr and Goncha Siso Enese Woredas with rapid emergency response initiatives. These initiatives include the distribution of Multi-Purpose Cash (MPS), WASH interventions, and nutrition support for the IDP communities in these areas.
One of the most pressing issues in both woredas are the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) crisis. IDPs has strained the region's already limited resources, leading to a reduction in water consumption per person per day, insufficient washing and bathing facilities, and inadequate latrines. The shortage of safe water is primarily due to a deficient water system and the non-functionality of boreholes, springs, and hand-dug wells. Security concerns have prevented technical experts from repairing these defective water schemes, resulting in an increase in non-functional water systems.
The burden of water collection falls heavily on women and children, who often have to travel long distances to fetch water from community ponds and rivers or spend hours collecting water from other sources. This situation, combined with inadequate water supply, poor nutrition, lack of sanitation, and poor hygiene, exposes the affected population to diseases such as acute watery diarrhea (AWD). Additionally, the crisis increases the risk of gender-based violence, child abuse, and other social issues.
In response to the current crisis, SHA conducted a detailed technical assessment to identify emergency WASH needs from April 26, 2024 to May1, 2024, in prioritized and pre-identified Woredas. This assessment was a collaborative effort involving woreda-level water office experts,
SHA's Humanitarian Program Manager (HPM), and the WASH officer. The assessment team engaged in discussions with the respective woreda Water and Energy offices, facilitated group discussions with kebele-level WASHCo committees, and conducted visits to non-functional water schemes in various kebeles.
This comprehensive approach ensured a thorough understanding of the WASH-related challenges and enabled SHA to develop targeted interventions to address the urgent needs of the affected communities