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Good Neighbors Ethiopia implemented a project for climate change response to support and empower 4,296 people in strengthening their capacity to respond to climate change.
Ethiopia is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The residents in Dodota and Ziway Dugda districts have been grappling with the profound impacts of climate change due to a lack of sustainable forest management and insufficient ability to adapt to climate changes.
In 2022, four Climate Change Response Committees (CCRC) were established, with 36 committee members trained in leadership and forest management. The project involved providing agricultural input loans for climate change adaptation, and the lead farmers’ workshop delivered agricultural knowledge and new agricultural practices to the farmers. As a remarkable outcome, agricultural productivity increased by 95% through the training and the use of better seeds.
Good Neighbors Ethiopia extended its transformative impact to 800 members of farm associations, equipping them with essential climate-smart agricultural information and techniques. The four farmer training centers served as conduits for this vital knowledge transfer, enabling these communities to adapt more effectively to the ever-changing climate.
In a bid to rehabilitate the region’s greenery and foster climate resilience, a tree planting campaign was conducted, during which 50,000 trees were planted across the forested areas, breathing new life into the environment. Additionally, 12,000 fruit seedlings were distributed among local farmers and vegetable groups to increase food security and augment their income. A seedling nursery group was established, adding a dimension of sustainability to their livelihoods.
One resident of the district shared, “This is the first time that a large number of people planted in one day. We hope the seedlings will grow, and there will be a change in the climate condition in our area.”
Crucially, this intervention encompasses efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and deter destructive logging practices in the communities. To further enhance their daily lives, 729 energy-efficient stoves were distributed, which were found to be immensely beneficial in reducing environmental impact and enhancing everyday activities.
In an area greatly affected by climate change, Good Neighbors Ethiopia’s Climate Change Response Project stands as a beacon of hope and transformation, offering a glimpse of brighter, more resilient communities in the future.
Good Neighbors has been actively working in Ethiopia since 1997, starting during a crucial period of recovery from a 17-year civil war and severe poverty. Recognizing the dire needs of children, the most vulnerable group in the post-war era, the organization launched its first initiative in Addis Ababa’s Lideta Sub City, focusing primarily on enhancing access to education.
Building on this initial success, Good Neighbors Ethiopia expanded its reach in 2010 by initiating a community development project in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia Region. This expansion continued in 2011 and 2012 with three additional projects in Sidama and Addis Ababa. In 2017, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the organization began a project promoting maternal and child health. Since then, Good Neighbors Ethiopia has extended its community development projects to further communities in need, while also providing support to those affected by conflicts, including internally displaced people from the Tigray Conflict, in collaboration with Japan Platform.
Currently, Good Neighbors Ethiopia operates in eight regions: Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul Gumuz, Southern Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, Somali, and Tigray Regional States, as well as the city administration of Addis Ababa, managing a total of 11 projects. The organization supports over 13,500 children through its sponsorship program and benefits more than 75,000 community members. Good Neighbors Ethiopia collaborates with esteemed partners such as UNHCR, UNOCHA, KOICA, and the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) of Ethiopia to empower people and transform communities.
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