APDA

Afar Pastoralist Development Association is focused on women’s empowerment, literacy, income-generating activities, and maternal health. However, after much of the Afar region was looted-animals killed, health centers destroyed, and equipment stolen, they have had to pivot to emergency relief and rebuilding their communities. Valerie, who leads APDA says, “For 300,000 people in central Afar Region, the government health service is totally disabled, no single town has protected drinking water, over 60 schools are damaged and markets are utterly dysfunctional”. We will be helping them with emergency support as donations come in.  The funds that we have given will provide traditional matts to rebuild the homes of those that have been displaced, emergency medicines and emergency food supplied. There is a special focus to identify mothers that are breastfeeding as malnourished and provide them with nutrients.

Hope of Light

Hope of Light provide obstetric fistula treatment at 3 fistula health centres in Gondar, Jima and Assella. They were founded by Dr Ambaye, a fistula surgeon with over 27 years’ experience, who was trained by the awe-inspiring Dr Catherine Hamlin. As well as providing medical supplies for fistula care, Dr Ambaye trains doctors in fistula surgery, raises awareness with health professionals and her team provide post-operative counselling for patients. HOL is providing medical care for both local pregnant women and internally displaced people by re-equipping looted, damaged health centres and setting up emergency medical clinics.