By Yonas Mamo Zewde | Executive Director, alignAfrica
Project Update Report: Emergency Response for Drought and Conflict-Affected Communities in Ethiopia
By alignAfrica
Reporting Period: October 2025
The Aid to Drought and Conflict-Affected People in Ethiopia project, implemented by alignAfrica, continues to support communities facing the combined impact of conflict and prolonged drought in Wag Himra (Amhara), Borena (Oromia), and Debre Birhan (Amhara). Despite limited financial resources, alignAfrica has mobilized strong in-kind support from local partners, community networks, and compassionate contributors to provide essential relief items to displaced and drought-affected households.
Through this collective effort, food, water, shelter, and hygiene supplies have been delivered to more than 8,000 vulnerable individuals, including children, women, and elderly persons. In Debre Birhan, over 2,000 internally displaced people received food packages consisting of flour, oil, and lentils, while in Wag Himra and Borena, alignAfrica coordinated the delivery of water containers, sanitation materials, and animal fodder donated by local businesses, religious institutions, and partner organizations.
The project’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) support provided temporary water tanks and purification tablets to families in drought-affected zones, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. Shelter materials, including tarpaulins, blankets, and mats, were distributed to 700 households in displacement sites, while medical and dignity kits supported mothers and girls with reproductive health needs. In Borena, more than 5,000 livestock benefited from fodder and veterinary supplies, helping protect pastoral livelihoods and prevent further loss.
While alignAfrica has not received direct cash funding for this initiative, the in-kind donations and community-led solidarity contributions have created a strong foundation for humanitarian action. The support has come from local associations, volunteers, youth groups, diaspora partners, and faith-based organizations, all united by a shared commitment to restoring hope for affected families.
Beneficiaries have expressed deep appreciation for the assistance. “We left our homes with nothing,” said Mulu, a mother of four from Waghimra. “The food and water support from alignAfrica volunteers gave us strength to keep going.” In Borena, a pastoral elder added, “Saving our animals means saving our lives — the fodder arrived at the right time.”
Moving forward, alignAfrica aims to expand its partnerships with regional authorities, private sector actors, and humanitarian networks to scale up life-saving aid and introduce early recovery and livelihood restoration activities. Priorities for the next quarter include psycho-social support for displaced families, water access improvement, and community peace dialogues in coordination with local peace committees.
In conclusion, even without direct financial funding, this initiative has proven that solidarity, collaboration, and in-kind generosity can make a life-saving difference. alignAfrica remains committed to standing with the most vulnerable, amplifying local capacities, and building resilience among drought- and conflict-affected communities across Ethiopia.
For further updates or partnership inquiries, please visit www.alignafrica.org or contact info@alignafrica.org.
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