November 2, 2026 | Hambela Wamena, West Guji Zone, Oromia Region
A joint delegation from Menschen für Menschen–Switzerland (MfM-CH) and the Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) has commenced a week-long field monitoring visit to review the progress and achievements of community development initiatives in southern Ethiopia. The field tour covers the “Integrated Actions for Building Resilience” project in Hambela Wamena District (West Guji Zone, Oromia Region), as well as the “Building Sustainable Livelihood Project” in Raphe Woreda (Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia Region), which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The delegation includes Claudio Capaule, Michael Kesselring and Getachew Zewdu representatives of MfM-CH from Switzerland, and Ethiopia offices, accompanied by senior experts from EWNRA, the project’s implementing organization.
The extensive field monitoring takes place as project implementation periods reach critical milestones, providing an important opportunity for the partners to assess physical results on the ground, engage directly with beneficiary communities, document outcomes, and evaluate contributions to building resilient livelihoods.
On the first day of the tour, following their departure from Dilla town, the delegation traveled throughout Hambela Wamena District to review various integrated development interventions. The field team visited multiple sites across Sike Bokosa, Chorso Golja, Chorso Bule, and Chorso Sodu kebeles. During these visits, the delegation inspected a diverse array of completed and ongoing community livelihood interventions, including sheep rearing, ox and sheep fattening initiatives, coffee seedling nurseries, garlic and potato production, apple orchards, spring-on-spot safe water supply schemes, and the activities of local Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) linked with Income Generating Activities (IGAs).
Later in the week, starting Wednesday, November 4, the joint monitoring team will transition to Raphe Woreda in the Gedeo Zone of the South Ethiopia region. The scheduled itinerary there includes evaluating assets under the Building Sustainable Livelihood Project, featuring stops at the Cherbenta Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) warehouse, localized spring water protections, and agricultural beneficiary households engaged in heifer production, sheep rearing, oxen fattening, maize harvesting, and apple farming across Cherbenta, Laba Gasha, Haleme, and Raphe 01 kebeles.
Throughout the joint mission, the delegation will continue interacting closely with beneficiary households, cooperative committees, and local government stakeholders to ensure long-term project sustainability. Implemented by EWNRA with financial backing from Menschen für Menschen–Switzerland, these integrated projects leverage strong partnerships with government institutions to empower rural and semi-urban communities, highlighting both organizations’ shared commitment to transparency, institutional learning, and lasting impact.
