Gode, Somali Region (Oct 19-22, 2025)

A high-level delegation from the Authority of Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), accompanied by a member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, conducted a field visit to one of Islamic Relief Ethiopia’s (IRE) integrated WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects in the Afder Zone of the Somali Region.

The delegation, led by Ato Samson Biratu, Director General of ACSO; Ato Mesfin Muluneh, Deputy Director General; Ato Zakarias Erkola, Member of Parliament, and other high-level officials visited the integrated WaSH project worth £3.6 million (over half a billion ETB). The officials commended the scale, quality, and community impact of Islamic Relief’s interventions.

Representing Islamic Relief Ethiopia were Ato Ahmed Abajobir, Country Director, and Ato Kedir Musseman, Head of Programs, along with senior program staff. The visit, which took place from October 9–12, included meetings with local authorities and community members who expressed their appreciation for the organization’s efforts in improving access to clean water and reducing displacement caused by drought.

In one of IRE’s hard-to-reach intervention areas, located approximately 1,500 km from Addis Ababa by road, the delegation observed key project sites, including hafir dams (surface water retention structures), solar-powered water pumping systems, water storage and distribution points, and water purification facilities. The initiatives have benefited more than 19,000 residents who were previously affected by chronic water scarcity.

The integrated WaSH project was funded by Islamic Relief UK and UK Aid, demonstrating a strong partnership in addressing water insecurity, promoting community resilience, and supporting sustainable development in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia.