irrigation in EthiopiaETHIOPIA

 

Building Self-Sufficiency Among Drought-Affected Communities

CHF International began working in Ethiopia in 2004 to help mitigate the impact of extreme drought and flood on rural, agricultural communities and decrease their dependence on food aid. Activities have focused on improving food security by increasing household assets such as livestock, supporting livelihoods through access to economic opportunities and improving health and hygiene through access to clean water and sanitation.

Sustainable Humanitarian Assistance Program for Ethiopia (SHAPE)

CHF is implementing SHAPE in the Gode zone of the Somali Regional State to help drought-affected communities meet their emergency needs for water, food and income while assisting them to build their resources and capacities to respond to future crisis. To accomplish these goals, SHAPE is using a three-pronged approach:
  • Increasing income-earning opportunities and improving market linkages
  • Increasing agricultural and livestock production
  • Improving access to safe water and hygiene practices

At the heart of SHAPE, is the development of Asset Building Groups (ABGs). Each group consists of up to 80 members of a community that engage together in a business venture that benefits from increased collective productive capacity and bargaining power. Once formed, ABGs collectively receive assets to support the selected business venture, and group members receive intensive training and capacity building to effectively manage the activities of the group. This training includes business or vocational skills, savings and credit management, and technical assistance in linking to markets and independent vendors or buyers. SHAPE builds upon the activities of the Livelihood Support for Somali Agro-Pastoralists (L-SAP) program. Success of the L-SAP program include development of 30 ABGs which trained farmers in the cultivation of crops and other income-generating activities; the construction of two slaughtering houses and 20 meat vending stalls to promote market activities and improved food hygiene; and the establishment of nearly 100 new water points (wells and rainwater catchment reservoirs).

For more information about CHF projects in Ethiopia please see the Ethiopia Fact Sheet.