By HODI | Project Leader
For years, the Kenya–Ethiopia border has experienced conflicts and disputes between communities caused by various factors. At HODI, we realised the need for cross-border integration to promote regional development, peace, and cooperation. This is why we launched a new project; Integrating Peacebuilding, Development and Humanitarian Efforts Across the Kenya-Ethiopia cross border (IPDHE) on 30th March 2023 in Moyale.
The project is funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and is implemented in partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Centre for Development and Capacity Building (CDCB).
The launch was graced by the Deputy Governor of Marsabit County, H.E Solomon Gubo. Other leaders who attended the event are the Acting County Commissioner, David Saruni, HODI’s Board Vice Chairman, Mr. Said Jillo and VSO’s Country Lead, Catherine Mwangi.
A Dive into the Project
The IPDHE project is designed to promote peacebuilding, development, and resilience in cross-border communities in the Kenya-Ethiopia border region. Resource competition in this area has led to conflict, political tension, and ethnic divisions. Through cooperation and resource sharing, IPDHE seeks to reduce friction and bring greater prosperity to these communities.
The project will be implemented in the Moyale and Miyo districts of Ethiopia and Sololo and Moyale sub counties of Kenya. The project employs a triple nexus approach: peacebuilding, development and humanitarian assistance.
How will we get this done?
By involving primary actors in designing and implementing interventions, we can ensure that interventions are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of the communities involved.
Blended volunteering is a promising approach to promoting sustainable development and strengthening localization by leveraging the strengths and expertise of both local and international volunteers to address complex development challenges.
Local and national government engagement is critical for promoting effective governance, improving service delivery, and ensuring communities access essential services and infrastructure. By working together and building solid partnerships, local and national governments can achieve more together than they can alone.
Projects with adaptive features like regular monitoring and evaluation, participatory approaches, and iterative learning are better equipped to respond to crises and adapt to new challenges. A crisis modifier in the project will ensure that the project is equipped to respond to crises during the lifetime of the project.
The End Goal
Investing in people’s abilities, community service, peacemaking, and social harmony can mitigate the risks and effects of conflict and weak social cohesion. To this end, diversity and inclusion analysis, empowering youth volunteers and community champions, and connecting to welfare systems are some actions that will be taken to reduce vulnerabilities driven and resulting from conflict and weak social cohesion.
This would make decision-making processes more inclusive, address underlying causes of conflict and promote lasting peace and development. To do this, we will train governments in conflict responsiveness and disaster preparedness, support multi-stakeholder platforms, develop cross-border policies, and encourage policy dialogues and advocacy.
Empowering local organisations is key to addressing the vulnerabilities caused by conflict and weak social cohesion. To do this, we will enhance organisations’ capacity and authority, such as local institutions, peace and DRR committees, and local CSOs. These organisations must work together and identify the root causes of conflict, promoting sustainable peace and development. We will support community-led risk assessment action plans and collaboration between humanitarian, development, and peace-building systems.
The success of the IPDHE Project will require the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders involved. Together, we can build a brighter future for border communities in Kenya and Ethiopia, fostering peace and prosperity.
Status update on the drought
Rains were received in the last week of March 2023. There has been rainfall almost near or below expected levels all over the county. Some parts have been flooded and poeple have lost the remaining livestock due to weak body conditions.
There has not been much change in terms of the need for food by people who have been affected by the drought. But water scarcity has been greatly reduced by the recent rains.
Building Resilient Households Project
Reconciliation of audit report and on monthly savings and loan repayments through branded books for 3 audited village groups was completed. 88 persons were able to benefit by having their data accurately captured in the groups records.This was made possible through the support from Corteva through GlobalGiving.
A workshop to enhance the capacity of group leadership is planned for the second week of May 2023. This will also allow them to hear from Government officials on legal requirements and what opportunities there could be for the members of the groups.
All 4 village groups conducted their monthly meetings according to their monthly meeting dates.During the meetings, monthly savings are collected and deposited into the groups account to increase savings in the account, loans are also repaid and new loans are issued to other members.
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