A new emergency response project has officially been launched in Bugna Woreda, Lalibela, aimed at providing lifesaving support to conflict-affected and vulnerable communities. The project, funded by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and implemented by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC), integrates emergency food distribution, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) interventions, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response services.

The initiative is a timely response to the growing humanitarian needs in the area, where many families are facing food shortages, lack of clean water, and heightened risks of gender-based violence due to the residual impacts of conflict and displacement.

“This project is not just about meeting basic needs, but about restoring dignity and safety for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children,” said a representative from EOC-DICAC during the launching event.

Key Components of the Project:

Emergency Food Distribution: Immediate food assistance is being provided to hundreds of households facing critical food insecurity.

WaSH Services: The project includes the provision of safe drinking water, construction and rehabilitation of latrines, and hygiene promotion to prevent waterborne diseases.

SGBV Response and Prevention: Through community awareness, psychosocial support, and referral services, the program aims to support survivors and reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence.

Local government officials, religious leaders, and community members expressed their gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of coordinated humanitarian response in restoring hope and resilience in Bugna Woreda.

The project will run for seven months, with plans to closely monitor its impact and make adjustments as needed to ensure that it effectively meets the urgent needs on the ground.