Restored Health and Water Services for Conflict-Affected Communities in Raya Alamata Woreda

Today, UNOPS has officially handed over rehabilitated health and WASH facilities to the community and local authorities in Raya Alamata Woreda, marking the successful completion of a critical recovery project for conflict-affected communities in Garjela and Tao kebeles.

Funded by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), this US$1 million project was implemented over 12 months, supporting more than 30,000 people with access to lifesaving health services and 1,462 individuals with improved access to safe water and sanitation.

“This project represents a significant step in supporting the recovery and resilience of vulnerable populations in Alamata Woreda,” said Sonja Varga, UNOPS, Head of Program. “By restoring these essential services, we are helping to lay the foundation for healthier and more stable communities,” she added. 

The project was developed following a detailed needs assessment conducted in September 2024, which identified severe damage to infrastructure in the targeted kebeles due to conflict. The assessment highlighted looted and damaged health posts, destroyed water pumps, and compromised WASH facilities, creating urgent humanitarian needs.

“CERF enables rapid, life-saving action that supports both immediate recovery and longer-term resilience in conflict-affected communities,” said Rosalind Crowther, Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit, OCHA Ethiopia.

Key outputs and impacts of the project include:

1. Restored Essential Healthcare Access: The full rehabilitation and operationalization of two critical health facilities, the Gerjella Health Center and Tao Health Post has successfully restored reliable access to life-saving healthcare services for thousands of community members, removing a significant barrier to well-being.

2. Ensuring Clean Water for Enhanced Public Health: The rehabilitation of institutional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at both health centers now ensures a dependable supply of potable water for medical staff and patients, directly elevating hygiene standards and reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases.

3. Expanded Community Water Security: Rehabilitation of a key WASH facility in Tao Humo Kebele has re-established reliable, safe access to clean water for local households, strengthening daily life and improving the community’s overall resilience.

4. Elevated Diagnostic and Treatment Capabilities: The provision of essential medical equipment to the rehabilitated health facilities has directly upgraded local diagnostic accuracy and treatment quality, ensuring community members receive higher-standard care without needing to travel long distances.

5. Empowered Health Service Providers: By supplying new office furniture and critical IT equipment, the project has enhanced the operational capacity and professional environment for healthcare workers, enabling more efficient and effective service delivery.

6. Accelerated Local Economic Recovery: Through its Cash for Work component, the project injected immediate capital into the local economy, providing vital income to participating community members while achieving essential infrastructure rehabilitations a dual benefit that spurred local recovery.

7. Fostered Sustainable Community Ownership: The direct involvement of local residents in restoring their own health services has cultivated a strong sense of community ownership and responsibility for the rehabilitated facilities, a crucial factor in ensuring their long-term use and maintenance.

The handover includes capacity-building support for the community structures, health facility professionals and WASH committees, local government administration offices for Health and Water, which will now be responsible for the ongoing management and maintenance of the facilities to ensure long-term sustainability.

The project was implemented in close coordination with local community structures, stakeholders and aligned with broader recovery efforts.

[ENDS]

Notes to the editors:

Press contact details:

Meron Aberra, Communication Specialist, UNOPS, +251 911-221-060, Email: merons@unops.org  

About CERF

Established 20 years ago, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is the United Nations’ global emergency fund managed by UN-OCHA. It provides rapid and equitable humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies. 

CERF allocates funding through two main windows: the Rapid Response window, which supports sudden-onset and escalating emergencies, and the Underfunded Emergencies window, which addresses critical funding gaps in protracted crises. Ethiopia has been among the top recipients of CERF funding globally since 2020, reflecting the complexity and persistence of humanitarian needs. 

About UNOPS

UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments, and other partners to manage projects and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement globally. Read more: www.unops.org/ethiopia