Contributing to the reconstruction of basic services in conflict-affected areas in northern Ethiopia

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The aim of the project is to rebuild basic services, particularly water infrastructure, and to support individual conflict management in order to contribute to strengthening the resilience of vulnerable population groups, communities and systems in the conflict-affected areas of northern Ethiopia. The systematic destruction and looting of basic infrastructure during the two-year conflict resulted in immense financial damage to the affected water, health and education sectors. In the project region, the damage to the water supply systems is extensive, so that the connected schools and health facilities are only partially functional. However, the state water suppliers do not have sufficient capacity to ensure the maintenance and reconstruction of the infrastructure. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is providing 12,000,000 euros for a period of 36 months to implement, through UNICEF, measures to strengthen the capacities of the regional offices of the water suppliers and to build water supply facilities in the project regions of Amhara, Afar and Tigray. Up to 550,000 people in the catchment area of the selected water suppliers will benefit from this project. Two target groups in particular deserve attention: girls and young women whose menstrual health and hygiene are limited due to the conflict, as well as water supplier employees who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders as a result of the conflict. For this reason, menstrual health clubs are being introduced, among other things, and psychosocial support services are being offered to improve opportunities for participation in working life.