The Government of the Republic of Korea generously contributed US$10 million (approximately ETB 1.37 billion) to UNICEF to enhance primary health care (PHC) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for women and children affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.
Vulnerable communities impacted by conflict, climate-related disasters, and disease outbreaks urgently need sustainable access to safe water, integrated with essential primary healthcare services. The health interventions aim to ensure access to essential PHC services in humanitarian settings and respond to disease outbreaks. Activities will include supporting Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams (MHNTs), which in some regions are the primary means of delivering lifesaving health services to internally displaced persons, conflict-affected communities, and hard-to-reach communities, including pastoralists.
Similarly, the focus of the WASH interventions will be aligned with PHC support and ensure access to a safe and sustainable water supply. UNICEF will rehabilitate 13 piped water systems—including solar-powered upgrades—and 50 boreholes equipped with hand pumps, to enhance access to safe and reliable water in affected communities. The water supply interventions will also focus on health institutions in targeted communities through the extension of water distribution networks, as well as rehabilitation and expansion of the water systems within the health institutions.
“UNICEF and Korea have a longstanding partnership, particularly in health and humanitarian initiatives,” said H.E. Mr. Jung Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia. “We are honoured to support such important and impactful interventions working together with the Government of Ethiopia and partners like UNICEF and hope that the support from Korean government will provide tangible benefits to the people of Ethiopia. ”
“The generous support of the Korean Government comes at a time when UNICEF needs urgent resources to respond to multiple humanitarian crises working with the Government of Ethiopia,” said Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, UNICEF Ethiopia Representative. “This contribution, synergized with other existing multi-sectoral development and emergency projects of UNICEF, will tackle the most pressing challenges women and children face in Ethiopia by reinforcing the critical link between WASH and Primary Health Care.”
With this funding, more than 365,000 people will benefit from health and WASH services in Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia and Tigray regions of Ethiopia.