US Foreign Humanitarian Assistance Delegation Conducts Field Visit to Society’s Project Implementation
A delegation from the US Foreign Humanitarian Assistance to Ethiopia has conducted a field visit to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) Emergency Response and Recovery Project being implemented in East Borena Zone, Oromia Region. The visit aimed to assess the project’s implementation, observe its impact on affected communities, and strengthen coordination with local government authorities.
Implemented since August 2024, the project is funded by the US Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and focuses on emergency response and early recovery interventions, particularly in shelter, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA). The project is being implemented across East Borena, East Wollega, West Wollega, Buno Bedele, Kellem Wollega, Ilu Aba Bor, and Horo Guduru Wollega Zones of Oromia Region.
To date, the project has completed the construction of 3,930 shelters, with beneficiary households already occupying the houses, while an additional 1,000 shelters are currently under construction. The project has also rehabilitated or constructed 11 water supply schemes, eight of which are already providing safe drinking water to communities, while the remaining schemes are under construction. In addition, 1,810 households have received Multipurpose Cash Assistance.
In East Borena zone alone, the project has constructed 506 shelters in Liben, Da’as, and Gorodola districts, all of which are now occupied by beneficiary families. Furthermore, 100 households in Arero district received Multipurpose Cash Assistance. A water supply system constructed and installed in Da’as district has restored access to safe drinking water for communities that had suffered from severe water shortages for nearly three years.
Before visiting the project sites, the delegation held discussions with Mr. Tajura Oda, Deputy Administrator of East Borena Zone Administration. During the meeting, he noted that although the zone had experienced repeated droughts and security challenges in recent years, the security situation has significantly improved. He emphasized that the close collaboration between the government and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society has resulted in substantial achievements in shelter, cash assistance, and WASH interventions.
Mr. Tajura further highlighted that humanitarian needs remain high across the zone and called for continued support, particularly for pastoralist communities whose livelihoods were severely affected by drought and conflict. He also stressed the need for sustained investment in damaged health facilities and water infrastructure while reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the Ethiopian Red Cross Society through strong partnership and coordination.
During the briefing, Mr. Yohannes Feyisa, Head of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society East Borena Zone Branch, presented the project’s achievements in the zone. He explained that 506 shelters had been constructed, cash assistance had been provided to 100 households in Arero district, and a water supply project in Da’as district had significantly improved access to safe water, especially benefiting women and children who previously spent long hours searching for water.
The delegation later visited Me’esa kebele in Liben district, where it inspected 85 completed shelters constructed under the project. The team held discussions with Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Committee members regarding beneficiary selection, shelter construction processes, community participation, implementation challenges, and the measures taken to address them. The delegation also visited beneficiary households and engaged directly with community members to better understand the project’s impact.
Members of the CEA Committee and shelter beneficiaries shared that they had been displaced by insecurity nearly four years ago and had endured extremely difficult living conditions. They explained that the shelter assistance had enabled them and their families to rebuild their lives, improve their living conditions, and regain a sense of safety and dignity.
Following the field visit, Mr. Sintayehu Eshete, Program Specialist at the US Foreign Humanitarian Assistance Section in Ethiopia, commended the strong partnership among the government, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, local communities, and beneficiaries. He noted that the collaborative shelter construction model demonstrated how limited financial resources could achieve greater impact when complemented by community participation and local contributions.
“The most impressive aspect of this project is the collaboration between the government and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society. The allocated budget of ETB 77,000 alone could not have delivered shelters of this quality. By combining community contributions, government support, and Red Cross assistance, you have created a model that can be replicated elsewhere. I encourage you to continue strengthening this collaborative approach as it has the potential to become a national model,” he said.
ERCS Project Coordinator Mr. Gosa Abera stated that the visit demonstrated the successful implementation of the project and its tangible impact on improving the lives of vulnerable communities. He noted that the delegation gained first-hand understanding of the project by interacting directly with CEA Committees, beneficiaries, and local government officials rather than relying solely on reports.
He further emphasized that the findings and recommendations from the field visit would help identify areas requiring additional support and contribute to mobilizing further resources to address the remaining humanitarian needs in the area.