Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) launched a new project in Oromia region Hambela Wamena district of West Guji zone.
The project named “Integrated Actions for Building Resilient Communities’’ is fully financed by Menschen für Menschen Switzerland (MfM CH)
With a commencement date of January 1st, 2024, the new project will have duration of three Years (January 1st 2024 to December 31st, 2026) and planned to support a more than 33,000 beneficiaries directly and indirectly out of which 50% is set to be constituted by women beneficiaries.
At the launching workshop in Dimtu town while presenting his opening speech Executive Director of EWNRA Mr Afework Hailu has mentioned numbers of successful outcomes executed with financial supports from Menschen für Menschen Switzerland for almost 9 years. Natural Resources conservation works, multifaceted women empowerment activities, fresh water supplements with many hand dug wells built for communities living in remote areas, youth income generating opportunities through revolving funds, school club supports etc… are among the executions over the years Mr Afework said. He also asked all stakeholders to put hands on for the success of this newly started project.
From Menschen für Menschen Switzerland side Dr. Martin Gunder expressed his excitement to see a new project is commenced for the benefit of the community. Dr. Martin mentioned what unity can deliver in Ethiopia reminding some examples like the victory of Adwa and Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to motivate stakeholders and EWNRA project staff members for a better result.
Menschen für Menschen Switzerland, country director of Ethiopia, Mr Getachew Zewdu as well expressed that Menschen für Menschen’s approach is not like directly giving money for beneficiaries, but supporting them to have the capacity of creating their own incomes so that beneficiaries will be equipped with knowledge and skills of self-reliance in sustainable manner.
Mr Getachew expressed his trust on the stakeholders regarding the appropriate utilization of allocated budget and promised to follow and monitor the progresses closely with EWNRA team and government representatives of the district.
Menschen für Menschen Switzerland has allocated a total budget of 81,349,032.00 ETB (eighty one million three hundred forty nine thousand and thirty two Birr) for three years of project implementation. 84% of this budget will be for program costs (DPC) and the remaining16% for project administration costs (PAC)
Government representatives from various positions attended the workshop and vowed to play their roles in terms of cooperating with the project staff which they are already proving practically since the arrival of the project concept.
EWNRA already started the implementation of the project after taking all necessary assessments and preparations jointly with Menschen für Menschen Switzerland, Ethiopian team then recruited staff members, opened a new office in Dimtu town (Capital of Hambela Wamena District) and conducting construction of some on spot fresh water springs and washing basins which are visited today by the team after the launching workshop.
Mr. Mekonnen Bekele from EWNRA head office has presented a brief description of the project scope to participants to show the roadmap highlight of the 3 year project.
Integrated Action project is set to be implemented in eight different Kebeles (Community Villages)of of Hambela Wamena District, West Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State with the aim of enabling Smallholder farmers lead stable life in their home villages where poverty driven outmigration to be halted.
Provision of improved agricultural inputs on revolving basis, Youth economic empowerment, Create access to revolving fund, Safe drinking water supply, Facilitate establishing/strengthening Cooperatives, Community capacity building trainings, Provision of technical and managerial support to ensure continuity of the revolving fund are among the major intervention areas of the project.
