Crisis in the Somali Region
Conditions in the Somali Region of Ethiopia are dire. The prolonged drought, resulting from three consecutive rain failures, has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of people in the Danod and Daratole districts in Somali Region.
A large number of IDPs and people from host communities are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, most of them women and children who have lost everything. The various crises affecting the population have a severe impact on their lives and livelihoods, resulting in increased protection needs due to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and loss of access to other basic health services, including maternal health services. Women's Hope International's partner organisation implements emergency interventions which reduce mortality and morbidity rates among children under 5, improve well-being and strengthen human dignity in crisis-affected communities.
Our priority is to improve access to reproductive health services for IDPs and host communities. The number of displaced people in the project's target areas is high and many women are struggling with reproductive problems, hence better sexual and reproductive health services need to be provided.
With the financial support of Women's Hope, our partner organisation OWDA is able to provide clean and safe delivery kits and other essential maternal health medicines to the health centres. In addition, so-called Dignity Kits are provided with hygiene items such as sanitary towels as well as washing powder, flash lights, towels and bags.
Cover picture: Partner organization OWDA distributes hygiene kits in the Somali region of Ethiopia; Photographer: Badri Ahmed Hikam
Local Partner
Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) has been active in Ethiopia since 1999. The organisation's goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the Somali region, which is heavily affected by natural disasters and conflicts.
