Ethiopia
We work with local, national and international partners in Ethiopia to support older people. Currently, we are working to:
- Help older people affected by the east Africa drought. In Borana zone, we are providing 1,288 households headed by older people with cash transfers, food and animal feed for their livestock. In the Dollo Ado refugee camps in Somali region, we will provide 1,500 older people with food, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, water collection items and access to sanitation facilities and mobility aids, such as walking sticks.
- Ensure older people have secure incomes through livelihoods projects and our Sponsor a Grandparent programme which will provide over 800 older people and their families with cash transfers, food, clothing as well as health and psychosocial services.
- Raise awareness of the role older people play in caring for those affected by HIV and AIDS. We also provide care, prevention and support to older people living with HIV and AIDS through peer education and training in the community. This work has reached 6,000 people.
- Strengthen older people's associations so they have more influence in the decision making processes that affect them.
Life story: Safo Bonaya Boru, 90
Safo Bonaya Boru receives money from a HelpAge cash for work programme.
Glyn Riley/HelpAge International 2011
Safo Bonaya Boru, 90, is a widow from Moyale district.
She has a large family but because of drought and the food crisis of 2011, she is receiving less and less family assistance as all her relatives come under pressure to find enough to eat.
She is a recipient of a cash for work programme supported by HelpAge.
She says: "Since the rains have failed, the food situation is worsening. It is worse than it was a few years ago.
"There used to be plenty of meat and milk but now there is nothing. I am currently receiving 300 Birr (about US$15) from the cash for work programme. People work by rehabilitating water ponds and in exchange they receive 300 Birr.
"I am unable to work so other people work on my behalf and I get the money. I buy maize or other food items with the money."
The difference we made in 2010-11
- We have given food, cash transfers, healthcare, shelter and clothing to over 870 vulnerable older people and their families. Volunteers also delivered meals to 50 bed-ridden older people.
- Because of our policy work, older people are now included in the Federal Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS.
- We have provided cash transfers to 960 older people affected by the current drought so their basic needs are met.
What next?
Over the next year, we will:
- Provide over 1,500 older people in the Dollo Ado camp with age-friendly food, health and shelter.
- Reach 6,400 households in Borana, in collaboration with Cafod/Trocaire/Sciaf and continue our work distributing cash transfers, food, animal feed.
- Help 1,577 households to prepare for potential floods in the Alemata district in north Ethiopia.
- Continue our work with the National Social Protection Platform to push forward a social protection policy for older people.
East Africa crisis photogallery
Our affiliates
Ethiopia Elderly and Pensioners National Association (EEPNA), Rift Valley Children and Women Development Organization (RCWDO)
Our partners
Accord, Action for Development (AFD), Agar Ethiopia Aregawian Erdata Mescha Dirijit, Assegedech Asfaw Older People Association, Chencha Older People Association, Dawit Aid for Aged People Association, Destitute Elders Welfare and Development Association, Eneredada Elder People Association, Gayo Pastoralist Development Initiative (GPDI), Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Association (IHA-UDP), AHISDO - Addis Hiwot Integrated and Sustainable Development Organisation, CBISDO - Community based integrated and sustainable Development Organisation, Medhin Ethiopia HIV Positive Elders Association, Pastorialist Welfare Organisation, Relief Society of Tigray (REST), SOS Sahel - Ethiopia, St. George Church Migbare Senai Dirijit (Welfare Association), Tesfa Development and Social Association, Voluntas Dei Institute (VDI), Women Support Association
Our donors
Age UK, Austiran Development Agency (ADA), BIG Lottery Fund (BLF), Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), German Ministry of Development (BMZ), New Apostolic Church of Germany (NAK), Swedish International Developmant Agency (SIDA), Trocaire/Cafod/Sciaf, UK Department for International Devlopment (DFID), UN OCHA, World Granny
