Ethiopia

Through the Enhanced Response to Nutrition Emergency (ERNE) programme, Concern responded to conflict-driven displacement in the Amhara region, providing direct cash assistance to the IDPs and strengthening the local health system to be better able to identify and treat malnutrition in children aged under five. ERNE, funded by the EU, ultimately benefitted 225,472 people from 2021 until 2023. In recognition of the particular vulnerability of women and girls in crises, Concern provided cash assistance to IDP families with young girls in South Wollo, Amhara region. The cash assistance lessened the economic impact of displacement, and ensured that girls were kept in school.

Building the resilience of extremely poor communities to future shocks requires multiple approaches. Crises or emergencies severely affect the ability of people to earn money or access resources. In Ethiopia, Concern supports families displaced by drought or conflict in a variety of ways. In Central Gondar zone, Concern trained 59 health care workers to identify and treat malnutrition, leaving a legacy of life-saving expertise. Concern also provided climate-resilient seeds to 7,388 people, increasing the chances of improved crop yields. In North Gondar, families had lost their farming equipment and access to seed after being displaced by conflict. In response, Concern provided climate-resilient seeds and farm equipment to 1,000 displaced households, salvaging the planting season, and providing the foundation for self-sustaining food security.

Through a five-year program operating in four regions, Concern provides education to marginalized girls who are not attending school. This is achieved through an adult functional literacy program that teaches basic reading, writing, and math skills. The project has established 41 learning centers in 37 communities, where 50 adult education facilitators conduct the literacy and numeracy classes. In 2022, a total of 2,587 out-of-school girls were screened and enrolled in the program. The project also offers short-term skill training and self-help groups to help the girls develop livelihood opportunities. Around 600 girls are currently receiving training in vocational skills, while over 1,170 girls are part of self-help groups engaged in income-generating activities. Additionally, the project raises awareness in the community about challenges faced by girls in education, such as gender-based violence and social norms.