Ethiopia

CISP in the Country

CISP has been operating in Ethiopia since 1986, particularly through interventions in the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), agriculture and food security, natural resource management, education, and protection, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups including women, children, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), transit and return migrants. Currently, CISP operates in the regional states of Tigray, Oromia, Somali, and Sidama. 

Approach

CISP Ethiopia applies a Triple Nexus approach (Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus) across all its actions, integrating humanitarian and climate crisis response with resilience-building, the promotion of durable solutions, and conflict prevention and resolution initiatives.  

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

CISP Ethiopia implements interventions aimed at ensuring safe and sustainable access to water for both human and animal use, while improving sanitation and hygiene conditions, particularly in refugee camps and host communities. Activities include construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructures, building of household and communal latrines, installation of water tanks and distribution points, solid waste management, and distribution of hygiene kits. Special attention is given to promoting good hygiene practices through community awareness activities and public health prevention campaigns, with the objective of reducing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and acute diarrhoea. In emergency settings, CISP also supports water supply systems through water trucking and rapid restoration of essential services, applying international Sphere standards and an inclusive approach that takes into account the protection needs of women, children, and persons with disabilities. 

Agriculture and Food Security

CISP Ethiopia works to strengthen resilience and improve the capacity of local communities to respond to environmental and human-induced disasters, as well as climate-related shocks. Interventions aim to enhance agricultural production, facilitate market access, and reduce dependency on humanitarian assistance, with particular attention to the most vulnerable households, women, and youth, including actions in emergency contexts involving refugees and vulnerable host communities. CISP supports the restoration and protection of livelihoods, distributes seeds, fertilizers, agricultural inputs, and livestock, and complements these activities with technical training and support to agricultural cooperatives. It promotes sustainable and climate-resilient production techniques, improved natural resource and water management, and support to local agricultural value chains. Activities also include vocational training, technical assistance, and business development services to strengthen productive capacities and generate sustainable income opportunities. 

Education

CISP operates in Ethiopia to ensure inclusive and safe access to quality education for children and young people from the most vulnerable communities. Activities include the construction and rehabilitation of schools, classrooms, libraries, and school sanitation facilities, as well as training for teachers and educational staff. CISP also promotes inclusive education programmes, addressing discrimination related to disability and barriers to girls’ education, with particular attention to rural and emergency settings. Through participatory approaches and the involvement of local communities and educational institutions, CISP fosters safe and inclusive learning environments while integrating themes such as global citizenship, social cohesion, and community resilience. These interventions aim to reduce educational poverty and strengthen opportunities for the human and social development of future generations.