United Nations in Ethiopia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. These are the goals the UN is working on in Ethiopia:

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24 April 2026

Enhancing collective impact of the UN in Ethiopia

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Ethiopia held its strategic meeting to reflect critically on how the UN system operates in support of the development needs of the country. The meeting brought together UNCT members and Programme Management Team (PMT) colleagues from across the system, united by a shared objective to chart a more coherent and impactful way of working together to deliver solutions at scale in support of Ethiopia’s development priorities.In his opening intervention, the Director of the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) in Africa, Yacoub El Hillo, highlighted the wider global context marked by overlapping crises, geopolitical instability, and increasing pressure on traditional development assistance, placing Ethiopia at the center of the UN’s global reform challenge. “The world is facing multiple overlapping crises, and the United Nations was created for moments exactly like this,” El Hillo stressed. “The real question in Ethiopia is not whether we remain relevant in theory, but whether we can deliver solutions, policy advice, and transformative results in practice.”In his address, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo, emphasized that Ethiopia’s national priorities - rather than agency mandates or project boundaries - must determine the UN’s mode of engagement.“Ethiopia’s needs should determine how we design our interventions,” he said, “not the boundaries of existing projects or the preferences of individual agencies.” He further underscored the importance of starting with Ethiopia’s major structural challenges and building credible, scalable responses capable of crowding in additional investment.“The UN’s comparative advantage lies in integrated analysis, convening power, technical expertise, and its ability to design and test solutions that others can finance and scale,” Ozonnia added. The meeting candidly acknowledged that while collaboration has improved at the design stage, deeper and more meaningful integration is required to deliver shared and enhanced outcomes. Participants also emphasized the need to reinforce the UN’s collective value proposition by supporting systemic solutions that link sectors, align policies, strengthen institutions, and provide trusted, evidence‑based advice.According to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, achieving this shift requires moving beyond activity‑based cooperation.“We must go beyond activity‑driven coordination toward genuinely integrated initiatives,” he said, “initiatives that are capable of serving as proof of concept for larger national and institutional uptake.” Participants also highlighted the importance of better leveraging the UN’s existing assets, including its knowledge, normative mandate, data, communications capacity, and deep technical expertise across agencies to enhance the UN’s role as a catalyst for transformation in Ethiopia.The discussion held among the senior leadership for the UN in Ethiopia further underscored the importance of accountability, both for results and for changes in behavior. In this regard, the Programme Management Team (PMT) was identified as a key platform for translating strategic decisions into operational reality and ensuring that agreements reached at leadership level are reflected in day‑to‑day practice.The meeting concluded with agreement to translate its strategic direction into a joint declaration and a limited set of investment‑ready, systems‑level initiatives aligned with Ethiopia’s national trajectory and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.Photos : UNCT Retreat 2026Video: RC/HC remarks in a short clip (UNCT Retreat)Video: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s Engagements - Photo Highlights

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18 March 2026

Agro‑Industrial Parks Transform Ethiopia’s Avocado Value Chain

Once primarily consumed locally with limited economic value, avocado production was constrained by informal markets, low prices, and significant post-harvest losses. Despite strong agro-ecological potential, the country remained largely absent from the rapidly growing global avocado oil market.This began to change with the introduction of the Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIPs), a flagship initiative of the Government of Ethiopia supported technically by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The IAIP model connects farmers, agro-processors, logistics services, and export markets within a coordinated ecosystem, transforming fragmented subsistence agriculture into a competitive, market-oriented system.At the center of this transformation is the Yirgalem Integrated Agro-Industrial Park (YIAIP) in southern Ethiopia, where avocado was identified as a priority commodity. The establishment of processing companies such as Sunvado Avocado Oil Manufacturing PLC, YBM Avocado Processing, and Golden Organic Avocado Oil Processing Company introduced modern cold-press extraction technologies and international food safety standards. These investments enabled Ethiopia to produce high-quality organic avocado oil for export, particularly to European markets.The growing presence of processors within and around the Yirgalem corridor has created an emerging agro-industrial cluster, linking farmers, cooperatives, and service providers. Today, more than 65,000 smallholder farmers are connected to the avocado value chain through structured supply systems, benefiting from improved market access, transparent pricing, and technical support to enhance productivity and quality.For farmers, the shift has been significant. Instead of relying on informal traders, producers now supply directly to processors under more reliable and predictable market arrangements. This demand-driven system has encouraged farmers to expand production, invest in improved practices, and treat avocado as a viable income-generating crop.The impact at farm level is clearly illustrated by the experience of Wudie Tesfaye, a smallholder farmer supplying the Yirgalem ecosystem:“Before the IAIP system was introduced, I depended on informal markets dominated by brokers who dictated prices. I often transported sacks of avocado long distances only to be offered as little as 60 to 70 birr per sack. Sometimes I had to return home with unsold produce, losing both time and income. Today things are very different. Through our cooperative, we supply avocados directly to collection centers that link us to processing companies. The payment is transparent and immediate. During each harvesting season I deliver about 229 kilograms of avocado per week. With prices ranging between 18 and 40 birr per kilogram, my annual income has grown to more than 310,000 birr. With this income I can support my children’s education and reinvest in my farm. I have already planted 120 improved avocado seedlings so that I can expand production in the coming years.”— Wudie Tesfaye, smallholder farmer supplying the Yirgalem ecosystemThe expansion of avocado processing has created employment opportunities across the value chain, including in factories, logistics, aggregation, and farm-level activities. Many of these jobs are held by women and youth, contributing to more inclusive economic growth in rural communities.At the same time, IAIPs are serving as platforms for innovation. In Yirgalem, private sector-led extension services are complementing traditional public systems by providing tailored, practical training to farmers on improved agricultural practices, pest management, and water-efficient technologies such as drip irrigation. This approach is improving yields, product quality, and market readiness.Nationally, the results are evident. Avocado production has increased significantly, driven by rising industrial demand and improved value chain coordination. Regions such as Sidama and Oromia are emerging as key production hubs supplying the growing processing industry.Beyond the value chain, the IAIP ecosystem also fosters strong partnerships. Through the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP), the initiative brings together government institutions, development partners, and the private sector under a coordinated framework. This collaboration supports infrastructure development, capacity building, investment promotion, and value chain strengthening, ensuring that interventions are aligned and mutually reinforcing.The transformation of Ethiopia’s avocado sector demonstrates how integrated agro-industrial development can generate jobs, increase farmer incomes, promote exports, and strengthen rural livelihoods. By linking agriculture to industry and markets, IAIPs are positioning Ethiopia as an emerging player in the global avocado oil market while advancing inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

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28 June 2026

When water is nearby, girls can go further in their studies.

For families in the rural town of Gerba, in the South Wello Zone of Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, daily life has changed in a way many once thought impossible: water now flows in their homes. Until recently, accessing clean water required long walks and long waits. A solar-powered water system installed by UNICEF, with support from the Danish government, has transformed that reality.As the town’s water utility extends pipelines into surrounding villages, more families now have taps in their homes, replacing communal water points shared by many households. Among them is the family of 15-year-old Aswan Adem, for whom water at home has begun to change everyday life.Aswan waters her family’s garden in the afternoon, connecting a hose to a tap in her compound. The small plot, where tomatoes and green peppers grow, is thriving. So is Aswan. In school, she is succeeding for the same reason the garden flourishes: water is now available nearby. “I never imagined that water would be available in our compound. I used to wake up at four o’clock in the morning to fetch water, cook breakfast, wash the dishes, and rush to school. There were many days when I arrived late for class. And when we ran out of water, I had to go again, even in the afternoon.”When water is not piped to homes, the responsibility for fetching it falls disproportionately on women and girls like Aswan. According to an in-depth global analysis of gender inequalities in drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, women and girls are responsible for fetching water in seven out of ten households without on‑premises supply. As the firstborn daughter in her family, Aswan has long supported her mother and cared for her younger siblings, responsibilities that once stretched her days even further. The new solar-powered water system has brought relief and joy to women and girls in her hometown of Gerba.More than 41,000 residents of Gerba now have consistent access to clean water thanks to the solar-powered system. Water is pumped into a 300 cubic meter reservoir installed on a mountaintop, supplying households, a school, and a health facility. Nearly 2,700 families, including Aswan’s, now have water piped directly into their homes. For Aswan, this means saving up to three hours each day that she once spent fetching water.“Now we have water in our home, so I don’t have to wake up early anymore. It is a huge relief.”Access to clean water is not only about saving time or supporting girls’ education, it is also about dignity. With the support of health extension workers, many families in Gerba are now using improved latrines and practicing better hygiene at home. Having water readily available is helping families live healthier, more dignified lives.Aswan can now focus on her studies without worrying about fetching water or waking up before dawn. She works hard to progress in school and is grateful to have been relieved of such a heavy responsibility. Still, one question remains in her mind: why is it always women and girls who are expected to fetch water?

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28 June 2026

From Hive to Global Markets: Transforming Ethiopia’s Honey Value Chain Through Skills, Quality, and Inclusion

At dawn in the highlands of Jimma, the air is cool and still, broken only by the low, steady hum of bees moving between hives. Ms. Kibe Dame walks carefully along narrow paths, pausing to inspect each hive with practiced attention. For years, this work followed a familiar rhythm—harvest, sell locally, and hope for a fair price. What happened to her honey after it left her hands was largely unknown, and opportunities beyond the local market felt distant.That reality began to shift the day she stood alongside processors and community leaders to sign an agreement that would send Ethiopian honey far beyond Jimma—to international markets. For Ms. Dame, representing 150 beekeepers from Gera Woreda, the moment marked not only a business milestone, but a turning point in how her work—and her community’s work—was valued.In April 2024 , a business agreement signing ceremony in Jimma formalized the export of 90 tons of honey and beeswax. The event reflected a broader transformation within Ethiopia’s honey sector, driven by improvements in quality standards, skills development, and market access.This progress is supported by the Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) Ethiopia, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The initiative focuses on strengthening quality compliance, enhancing technical capacity, and building linkages between producers, processors and international markets.Through targeted training on improved beekeeping practices, quality assurance, pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest handling, producers like Ms. Dame have upgraded their production methods. These improvements are enabling honey to meet international requirements, opening access to export markets and increasing income opportunities.The impact of these efforts is becoming increasingly visible across Jimma Zone. Over the past three years, honey exports have shown notable progress—starting from 15 tons in 2023 and growing significantly after 2024, with a combined total of 216 tons exported between 2024 and 2026. This growth reflects both improved production capacity and stronger integration into formal markets.Beyond individual producers, the project emphasizes knowledge sharing and community-level transformation. In Yayo Woreda, training enabled one woman beekeeper to apply improved techniques and share them with her household and neighboring farmers. This exchange of knowledge has contributed to better production practices and increased yields across the community.“Through the training I received under the UNIDO GMAP Ethiopia project, I have significantly improved the quality of my honey. I now better understand good beekeeping practices, harvesting techniques, and how to meet market requirements.As a result, I have been able to connect with local exporters and prepare my products for international markets. I am supplying honey for export, which represents an important step forward for me and the beekeepers I represent." says Ms. Kibe DameBeekeeping, once considered a supplementary activity, is increasingly seen as a viable climate smart agriculture and a reliable source of income. With improved hive management, producers can harvest multiple times a year while maintaining flexibility to engage in other agricultural activities, strengthening household resilience.Environmental sustainability is also a central component of the initiative. By promoting responsible beekeeping practices, the project supports biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use, ensuring that increased production aligns with environmental protection.In addition to training, the programme provides practical tools, including illustrated guides on best practices and essential beekeeping equipment. These interventions reinforce quality standards and support long-term sector development.A strong focus is placed on the inclusion of women, recognizing their role in production and community leadership. By improving access to training and market opportunities, the initiative contributes to more equitable participation across the value chain.The Jimma agreement represents more than a commercial milestone. It reflects a broader shift in how Ethiopia’s honey sector is structured—linking smallholder producers to global markets through improved systems, standards, and collaboration.As Ms. Dame returns to her hives, the familiar hum carries new meaning. What was once a local livelihood is now connected to a wider network of opportunity—where quality, knowledge, and access are reshaping the future of beekeeping in Ethiopia.

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28 June 2026

A reason to smile

Water is a basic human need essential for health and well-being. Yet, many people in rural areas of Ethiopia still struggle to obtain it. Water scarcity not only affects daily life but also limits education and economic opportunities, as women and girls spend many hours looking for it. Halimo, a mother of 11 in Fedis Woreda (district) of the Oromia region, Ethiopia, knows this challenge all too well. Each morning, she loaded her donkey with jerry cans, walked long distances to collect water for her family and livestock. But now, things have changed for good, and Halimo has a reason to smile. “We used to walk for up to 11 hours to fetch water,” Halimo recalls. “Sometimes we encountered hyenas and elephants along the way. It was very frightening, but we had no other choice.”What seems like a simple task for many people remains a daily struggle for women and children in Fedis. The generator that pumps water from the village borehole often breaks down, and rising fuel costs also challenged the community. This makes Halimo and fellow villagers get up early and look for water far from their homes. The search for water also brought serious risks. Pregnant women often fell ill, and children frequently missed school.“The hardest part,” Halimo explains, “was watching my children miss school because they had to help me fetch water.”After hours of walking, Halimo and her children would return home exhausted. Yet, the water they managed to collect is not enough for drinking, cooking and cleaning. It is a challenging dilemma Halimo has to choose every day between meeting her family’s immediate water needs and sending her children to school.Today, things have changed for the better. With the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (sida), UNICEF has installed a solar-powered water supply system near her community. Clean water is now within reach for Halimo and more than 7,500 families.“Now water is close to us,” she says with relief. “Our lives are much better.”Halimo no longer walks long distances to fetch water. Her children attend school every day, and the constant fear she once lived with has been replaced by dignity and hope.By Solomon Fisseha and Bethelhem Assefa

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27 June 2026

IOM and Germany Mark 10 Years of Supporting Family Reunification through the Family Assistance Programme

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (16 April 2026) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), together with the German Federal Foreign Office, marks today the 10th anniversary of the Family Assistance Programme (FAP), facilitating the family reunification of vulnerable migrants who are compelled to leave their country, with a person with protection status in Germany.
Established in 2016, FAP operates in ten countries and supports applicants of family reunification visas in understanding complex procedures, preparing required documentation, and navigating administrative steps. The Programme provides services in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse communities.
Since its inception, FAP has supported over 700,000 individuals worldwide with processing, offering structured guidance, reliable information, and practical assistance to families separated by migration, conflict, and displacement.
In Ethiopia, where the programme has been operational for eight years, FAP has supported around 6,500 people, many of whom originate from Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan — communities that have experienced prolonged displacement related to conflict and family separation.
“We as Germany together with our partners support safe, orderly, and regular migration in the Horn of Africa as well as towards Europe. The Family Assistance Programme is an important contribution in this regard,” said Christoph Anton, Counsellor Regional Officer for Displacement and Migration. “I am therefore very grateful that IOM and Germany today mark the 10th anniversary of this very successful FAP, facilitating the family reunification of vulnerable migrants who are compelled to leave their country, with a person with protection status in Germany.”
“As the programme enters its second decade, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that family reunification processes remain accessible, structured, and humane, while continuing to support families seeking to reunite in safety and dignity,” said Abibatou Wane-Fall, IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission.
FAP is implemented by IOM in close cooperation with the German Embassy in Addis Ababa and relevant Ethiopian government partners. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways.

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Press Release

18 June 2026

Ethiopia Launches Groundbreaking "Makatet Roadmap", Ushering in an Era of Refugee Inclusion

Developed through an intense, nationally driven process involving federal and regional institutions, development partners, UN agencies, civil society and refugee representatives, this comprehensive framework established a unified blueprint for the socio-economic inclusion of refugees while significantly benefiting their gracious host communities. By shifting from temporary humanitarian relief to sustainable, government-led development planning, the roadmap set out to transform existing camp structures into cohesive, self-sustaining human settlements integrated with national service delivery systems.The high-level gathering at the Adwa Museum served as a national platform to present the finalized multisectoral framework and secure collective investment for its operational phase. The framework has officially been launched by Ethiopia's Honorable Speaker of the HPRs Ato Tagesse Chaffo and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, culminating in a cultural performance refugee youth group.The Director General of Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) Madam Teyiba Hassen welcomed dignitaries at the ceremony by highlighting the operational shift towards inclusion, noting that the roadmap bridges the gap between the refugee operation and humanitarian landscapes."Today, we moved beyond encampment toward comprehensive town masterplans and integrated, shared services," the DG stated. "The Makatet Roadmap stands as our decisive answer to decades of fragmented assistance, as it’s a model where refugees and host communities grow together under a unified, well-coordinated, government-led system."Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Mr. Ahmed Shide mentioned the macroeconomic and structural significance of anchoring this framework within domestic delivery systems to maximize resource efficiency."Sustainable economic resilience cannot be built in isolation," the Minister said. "With the launch of the Makatet Roadmap, the Government of Ethiopia transitioned from short-term humanitarian management to an inclusive development model that treats refugees as active contributors to our national growth. " The UN Resident Coordinator to Ethiopia Mr. Ozonia Ojielo underscored the international community's shared commitment to the framework, celebrating it as a triumph of cooperative planning."The UN family stands firmly behind this nationally driven vision," noted the Resident Coordinator. "The Makatet Roadmap is a testament to what can be achieved when government institutions, civil society and international partners unite around a shared goal."The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf lauded Ethiopia's progressive and commendable leadership on a continental stage."Ethiopia’s visionary approach aligns perfectly with our collective continental aspirations for inclusion, dignity and stability under Agenda 2063," stated the Chairperson. "By creating structural pathways for the social and economic inclusion of displaced populations, this roadmap serves as an inspiring example for the entire African Union, proving that displacement challenges can be transformed into opportunities for regional development and shared prosperity."The High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Barham Salih welcomed the shift, highlighting the initiative as a global standard for localized development and international responsibility sharing.“Ethiopia has set an important example by demonstrating that refugee protection and national development can—and should—advance hand in hand,” said the High Commissioner. “The Makatet Roadmap serves as a blueprint for translating that vision into practical action, creating greater opportunities for refugees and host communities alike. It is closely aligned with our 50 by 35 vision to reduce aid dependency by expanding opportunities for refugees living in protracted situations to become more self-reliant and access lasting solutions over the next ten years. UNHCR remains committed to standing alongside Ethiopia to mobilize international solidarity and the resources needed to turn these aspirations into reality.”The milestone event culminated with an address by Ethiopia's Honorable Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives Ato Tagesse Chaffo, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reaffirming his government's highest political commitment to executing area-based inclusion across all refugee-hosting regions."The Makatet Roadmap is not merely a policy document; it's a binding strategy for inclusion and development," declared Ato Tagesse Chaffo. "The Government of Ethiopia is fully committed to leading this transition. Through area-based planning and robust coordination, we will ensure that our national systems are strong enough to provide protection, opportunity and a better future for both refugees and the generous communities that host them."The Makatet Roadmap has successfully been launched, marking a major milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to embrace refugees in its national systems. The initiative mixes policies, legal frameworks and area-based plans into a coordinated strategy to foster inclusion, resilience and shared growth in spite of resource constraints. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:RRS : Sileshi Demisew, sileshid@rrs.gov.et, +251 912 023 969 UNHCR : Sona Dadi, dadis@unhcr.org, +251 932 459 640

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Press Release

12 May 2026

Gazanche Primary School Project Launched with Site Handover Ceremony in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Gazanchi, Ethiopia – May 12, 2026 – Following the signing of a €4.2 million agreement between UNOPS and the Government of Italy to construct primary schools in underserved regions of Ethiopia, the official project launch and site handover ceremony for Gazanche Primary School took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Gazanche, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia.Building on the partnership between UNOPS and the Government of Italy, the milestone event marked the transition from planning to on-the-ground implementation. The project directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. The Gazanche Primary School is one of the facilities under this €4.2 million initiative, targeting the Gurage Zone in the Central Ethiopia Region State and the West Shewa Zone in the Oromia Region. Once completed, the project is expected to directly benefit more than 4,000 students and their families, fostering socio-economic development and enabling brighter futures for these historically underserved communities.The May 12 ceremony featured the formal handover of the site to the local contractor, signaling the start of construction. Senior representatives from UNOPS, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and the Italian Embassy in Ethiopia joined high-level regional administrators, underscoring a strong bilateral commitment to the project. Speaking at the event, H.E. Ambassador Sem Fabrizi stated: “Investing in a school means investing in the stability and development of a community. In Gazanche, Italy is supporting more accessible, inclusive and dignified education, responding to the real needs of students and their families. This project is the result of close cooperation with Ethiopian authorities and UNOPS, and reflects a concrete commitment to creating opportunities where they are most needed.”Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen, Director of the UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office and Representative to the African Union, added: “This handover is a tangible demonstration of our shared commitment to reducing disparities and promoting inclusive development. We are creating real opportunities for the next generation.”The new school facilities will feature climate-resilient infrastructure, including modern classrooms, libraries, administrative spaces, and WASH facilities to safeguard health and well-being.The ceremony concluded with a site visit, bringing together government officials, community leaders, and project stakeholders in a shared commitment to quality education for Ethiopia’s youth.[END] Notes to the editorsPress contact details: Meron Aberra, Communication Officer, UNOPS, Tel: +251 911221060, Email: merons@unops.orgRoberto Capocelli, Communication Expert, AICS, Tel: +251 933565602, Email: roberto.capocelli@aics.gov.it

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Press Release

24 April 2026

WFP supports Ethiopia to build resilient food systems in Somali Region with solar powered irrigation scheme

The irrigation scheme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank, under the “Climate Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought Prone Lowland Areas” (IFTIIN) project.Implemented by WFP in collaboration with regional institutions, local partners and communities, IFTIIN, meaning “Light” or “Hope” in Somali language, supports 17,000 pastoral and agro-pastoral families—about 85,000 people—across multiple woredas in the Somali Region. Aligned with national priorities including a strong focus on women, youth and farmers, the project increases access to water, strengthens crop and livestock production, diversifies families’ incomes and reinforces local institutions that help communities anticipate and manage climate shocks.“WFP’s vision in Ethiopia is to support the Government’s shift toward resilient, self-reliant food systems,” said Zlatan Milišić, WFP Representative and Country Director in Ethiopia. “By working closely with government institutions, we are strengthening national systems and embedding resilience approaches that are community-led and locally owned. Through IFTIIN, we are investing in irrigation, markets and livelihoods so communities can absorb climate shocks and reduce long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance. Today’s inauguration is that strategic vision in action”. Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to transform its food systems and build resilience as part of its national development agenda. These efforts are increasingly critical as recurrent droughts and floods continue to erode agricultural productivity and deepen food insecurity—particularly in lowland areas that depend on rain-fed farming.Under IFTIIN, WFP has constructed 17 irrigation schemes to expand access to water and increase crop and fodder production, 13 ponds collecting an average of 150 million litres of water per year for animal consumption and 29 dykes to regenerate vegetation and act as flood protectors. The project also improves access to agricultural inputs—such as improved seeds and basic tools—alongside training and extension support to raise yields. To turn production into income, farmers are linked to traders and markets through aggregation, post-harvest handling and market-oriented crop planning. IFTIIN further promotes income diversification and financial inclusion by supporting cash-crop production, savings and loan groups, and access to basic financial services.The Gode site serves predominantly agro-pastoral communities whose livelihoods depend on both crops and livestock. For years, limited and unreliable water access kept farming seasonal and low-yield, leaving households highly exposed to drought and other climate shocks.The new solar-powered scheme draws water from the Shebelle River, enabling reliable, year-round farming. Producers are now cultivating a diversified mix of food, fodder and cash crops. Between 2024 and 2025, the site generated ETB 17.5 million (about USD 290,000) in production value—reflecting high yields, strong market engagement and improved household incomes.“The German Government supports Ethiopia’s efforts to build climate-resilient food systems because food security is fundamental for the long-term development of the country by reducing dependency on humanitarian assistance.” said Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe, German Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia. IFTIIN’s results underscore the power of partnership to advance Ethiopia’s food security, resilience and climate adaptation priorities—and point to the opportunity to scale proven, climate-smart solutions across the Somali Region and beyond.“By investing in infrastructures, livelihoods, and climate adaptation measures through our partnership with WFP and the Government of Ethiopia, we are helping communities build lasting resilience and withstand climate shocks.” said Jonas Dylla, the Director of KfW Office Addis Ababa and to the African Union.# # #The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfp_ethiopiaFor more information please contact:Djaounsede Madjiangar, WFP/Ethiopia, Mob +251 944 334 949Elshaday Gebeyehu, WFP/Ethiopia, Mob +251 923 279 968

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Press Release

30 March 2026

Over 25,000 Ethiopians gain access to quality healthcare and education as Italy and UNOPS inaugurate facilities in South Omo

The inauguration ceremony marks the successful completion of a key infrastructure under the "Multi-Sectoral interventions aimed at improving health conditions in Hamer" project, implemented by UNOPS Ethiopia in partnership and funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the South Ethiopia regional government.The Dimeka health center delivery room, Maternal Block, EPI Block, OPD Block, Registration/Card Block General Store/Drug Block, and Toilet are now fully rehabilitated while staff residence, maternity waiting rooms, staff duty Room, and guard House have been added to the health center. The Health Center now has access to water sources while sanitation facilities are added to it. Aeriya Qeyissa Primary School is expanded to have 13 new blocks which include, administration building, library and book store, kitchen, cafeteria, classrooms (4), early childhood classroom, toilets (3), and guard house while the laboratory and store block have been fully rehabilitated.Both facilities are expected to directly benefit over 55,000 community members in Hamer Woreda, South Omo zone. The expanded health facility offers upgraded healthcare services to address the needs of a community affected by climate change, while the Aeriya Qeyissa Primary School enhancements include improved student feeding pace, water accessibility, and hygiene services benefiting more than 800 children.The 3-year project, funded by the Government of Italy through AICS with a €7.6 million grant (out of which €3 million dedicated to South Omo, Hamer Woreda), addresses critical health and education challenges in this climate-vulnerable region. All infrastructures have been designed to be gender-sensitive and accessible for persons with disabilities and all community members, and has reliable energy through solar power, ensuring uninterrupted services and a cleaner energy future.The school project directly addressed severe challenges in the Aeriya Qeyissa area, where students previously learned in overcrowded classrooms or outdoors under trees, and communities lacked access to clean water, sanitation, and reliable energy, which hindered education and health-seeking behaviors.Speaking at the inauguration, H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia, stated: "Italy is proud to work with Ethiopia authorities and communities in expanding access to essential services for the most vulnerable communities. Our partnership with UNOPS and regional authorities reflects a shared commitment to strengthening health systems, improving education, and promoting inclusive development. This partnership is designed to deliver lasting benefits and to support Ethiopia’s efforts towards a more resilient and equitable future."Commenting on the inauguration, the Head of AICS’ Addis Ababa, Michele Morana, said that these newly inaugurated facilities are “a tangible demonstration of Italy’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s development priorities. By investing in health and education in climate-vulnerable regions like South Omo, we aim to strengthen community resilience, improve quality of life, and create opportunities for future generations. Collaboration with UNOPS and local authorities ensures that these interventions are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of the people."Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen, UNOPS Multi-Country Director, added: "Access to quality basic services is fundamental to improving lives and building lasting development. These newly inaugurated facilities demonstrate what we can achieve together through strong partnerships. We are proud to have worked alongside the Government of Italy and the South Ethiopia regional government to deliver tangible improvements that will serve this community for years to come, reducing inequality and contributing to better health and education outcomes."The project's multi-sectoral approach integrates health, education, water, and energy to create sustainable impact. Today's inauguration in South Ethiopia follows the successful completion and inauguration of similar project in Chifra, Afar region in October 2025, where more than 36,000 beneficiaries, who have been affected by civil war in the northern Ethiopia, now have access to improved healthcare and education services, marking the full realization of Italy and UNOPS' broader initiative to strengthen health systems and support vulnerable populations across Ethiopia.[END] Notes to the editorsPress contact details: Giulia Bolognini: Head of the Press Office, Italian Embassy in Ethiopia, Email: addisabeba.pr@esteri.itMeron Aberra, Communication Officer, UNOPS, Tel: +251 911221060, Email: merons@unops.orgRoberto Capocelli, Communication Expert, AICS, Tel: +251 933565602, Email: roberto.capocelli@aics.gov.it

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