In 2023, Chain of Love for Human and Environmental Development (CoLHED) launched two vital projects in the war-affected Eastern Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia: “Supporting Early Recovery of War-Affected Farmers” and “Support the Reopening of 12 Rural Primary Schools in Post-War Tigray.” These initiatives were carried out in the woredas of Adigrat, Irob, Gulemekeda, Ganta-Afeshum, Subhasaesi, Tsaedaemba, and Yechila Abergele, focusing on urgent humanitarian needs following the Pretoria Ceasefire Agreement of November 2022.
The projects aimed to alleviate the suffering of children, women, and farmers by providing essential resources and rebuilding critical infrastructure. These interventions included supplementary feeding, veterinary services, cash support, maintenance of water pumps, provision of irrigation seeds, construction of conservation structures, and the empowerment of women. Additionally, significant efforts were made to enhance the education sector by supplying schools with necessary materials and equipment, thus fostering a conducive learning environment.
Project Locations and Beneficiaries
The interventions were implemented across several districts:
- Adigrat
- Irob
- Gulemekeda
- Ganta-Afeshum
- Subhasaesi
- Edagahamus IDPs
- Tsaedaemba
- Yechila Abergele
A wide range of beneficiaries were impacted, including 3,804 children under five, 1,236 lactating and pregnant mothers, 33,255 households through livestock services, 700 war-affected households via cash support, and 12,572 rural households through potable water schemes. Additionally, 9,102 students benefited from educational supplies and support.
Project Interventions and Results
Humanitarian and Agricultural Support
Supplementary Feeding:
To combat malnutrition, 40 tons of Corn-Soya Blend Plus were distributed to 3,804 children under five and 1236 lactating and pregnant mothers in Tsaedaemba and Subhasaesi woredas. This intervention helped 5,040 beneficiaries avoid severe malnutrition. These interventions addressed nutritional deficiencies among vulnerable groups. This specifically targeted those outside the Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) ranges to prevent them from falling into these categories. Since transportation and logistics were provided by the World Food Program (WFP) logistics cluster it also created a positive relationship between Chain of Love and WFP through effective coordination and implementation. Overall, the intervention successfully provided nutritional support to vulnerable populations, preventing malnutrition and ensuring nutritional stability in the targeted areas.
Veterinary Services:
Five war-affected veterinary clinics received essential drugs and vaccines, resulting in the vaccination of 204,276 livestock and treatment of 113,459 animals, benefiting 33,253 households. The interventions contributed to rebuilding and supporting agricultural and veterinary infrastructure in a community affected by war by restoring productivity, protecting livestock, and improving public health through veterinary services and agricultural inputs.
Cash Support:
ETB 7,800 was given to each of 700 war-affected farming households, totalling ETB 5,460,000. This financial aid enabled farmers to purchase agricultural inputs and services, significantly boosting their resilience. The project alleviated the immediate financial stress of war-affected farmers in Tigray by providing targeted cash support for agricultural purposes, which was well-received and considered impactful by the beneficiaries. According to a woman from Gulomekeda, the ETB 7,800 provided in the second round of support was more substantial compared to other assistance they received from different organizations.
Potable Water Scheme:
The rehabilitation of 194 hand pumps restored clean water access to 12,572 households, crucial for both human consumption and livestock. This was a significant relief for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, from water-fetching burdens and diseases. Further, Chain of Love put emphasis on cost-effectiveness in responding to post-war WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) needs. For instance, 108 hands pumps were made functional with less ETB 10,000 maintenance cost. This is a breakthrough in maintenance activities and emergency response. Chain of Love is committed for value for money.
Irrigation Seeds and Conservation Structures:
1,461 farmers received quality vegetable seeds, and significant conservation efforts were undertaken to improve the Guila watershed’s resilience. Tigray’s farmers have lost essential agricultural support and inputs, leading to decreased productivity. Disrupted trade routes due to the war have also cut off urban access to fresh produce. Therefore, there was a crucial need for agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilizers among irrigation farmers, which this intervention addressed.
Educational Support
Essential items such as exercise books, pens, sanitary pads, and soap were provided to 9,102 students. Schools and Education offices also received desktop computers, printers, and duplication machines. This enhanced administrative efficiency and educational quality. In addition, 2,964 adolescent girls received washable sanitary pads (4 pcs each), in Subhasaesie and Tsaedaemba as well as adjacent schools not originally targeted by the project. Additionally, 316 girls in Yechila-Abergele woreda (Selam & Walwa Primary Schools) received 4 pcs of 200-gram soap and 4 pcs of underwear each. Further, an eight-hole gender-segregated toilet was maintained in Selam Primary School, improving sanitation for 776 students and 21 teachers. In terms of supplementary feeding in school, 1,628 students from two primary schools received energy biscuits, significantly boosting attendance rates.
The intervention in schools focused on providing essential supplies to help students return to school and reduce dropout rates. Key activities included distributing exercise books, pens, sanitary pads, soap, a duplication machine with a desktop computer and printer, and maintaining toilets. As a result, the promotion rate increased to 99.2%, and the dropout rate decreased to 1.65%. The intervention created a positive teaching and learning environment, leading to higher student enrolment, improved education equality, cluster-based student assessments, and enhanced leadership capacity among school principals. This demonstrates the project’s effectiveness, achieving significant impact with a relatively small investment. Regional representatives expressed amazement at the high student attendance in these schools compared to others with many vacant seats.
Women’s Empowerment
Psychological and Financial Support:
43 women survivors of war received psychological support and entrepreneurship training, followed by a financial grant of ETB 20,000 to ETB 30,000 each to start small businesses. This intervention not only improved their livelihoods but also boosted their self-confidence and community participation. Outcomes included improved psychological well-being and self-confidence for participants and increased business ownership and financial savings among beneficiaries. This project demonstrates the positive impact of combined psychological and economic support for women survivors of war.
Financial Performance
CoLHED managed a budget of ETB 30,455,544.13 out of a total income of ETB 33,683,273.34, with program costs accounting for 92.74% of the total expenditure. Key donors included the Ferster Foundation (Switzerland), Manos Unidas (Spain), Africa Nos Mira (Spain), and I Nostri Amici Lebbrosi Onlus (Italy).
Conclusion
The projects implemented by CoLHED in 2023 have made a substantial impact on the lives of war-affected communities in Tigray. Through comprehensive and targeted interventions, CoLHED has enhanced food security, improved healthcare for livestock, provided essential water and sanitation services, supported educational facilities, and empowered women. These efforts have significantly contributed to the early recovery and resilience of the affected populations, laying a strong foundation for continued development and stability in the community.
