PROJECT SUMMARY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Gofa integrated rural development project (GIRD) has evolved from extensive lessons learned and achievements of 27 IRDPs. Several critical issues that need urgent attention within the project area were identified. These issues include food security, land degradation, lack of access to potable water, poor sanitation and hygiene, and difficulties in accessing essential services (healthcare, education, markets, social protection, etc.), the poor quality of some services. Additionally, there is a significant lack of job opportunities for youths and women. Addressing these challenges will depend on five thematic areas:

·         Sustainable land management: crop and livestock productivity improvement in natural resource management interventions.

·         Water, sanitation & hygiene: access to potable water and sanitation facilities, communities’ awareness creation on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation

·         Education access: to quality education; that is providing equitable and conducive educational opportunities (that are comparable to urban areas).

·         Health: primary healthcare, family planning, providing services on GBV, HTP and reproductive health and stakeholder’s capacity building

·         Human development: women and youth economic empowerment, promoting appropriate rural technologies and awareness rising on harmful traditional practices.

The “Five pillar’s” solution is ana essential task to promote sustainable livelihood improvement in Demba Gofa, Zala, Geze Gofa, and Melekoza Woredas of Gofa Zone and Basketo Special Woreda, Soth Ethiopia Region. In reaching farming households, in the four woredas and one special zone, the project targets direct and indirect beneficiaries. To implement this project Menschen Fur Menschen entered into agreement with AMU to carry out a baseline survey in the target woredas.