Addis Ababa, November 5, 2024 (FBC) – Amref Health Africa celebrated over a decade of partnership and success with the EU, spotlighting the transformative health projects that have positively affected livelihoods of communities.
In alignment with government priorities, the projects implemented by Amref have facilitated access to socio-economic benefits, improved family planning and sexual reproductive health services, and enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene practices—contributing significantly to Ethiopia’s efforts in improving maternal, youth, and child health in specific districts, it was stated at the event organized to acknowledge the partnership.
Dr. Ayele Teshome, State Minister of the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the critical partnership between the Ethiopian government and the European Union in addressing community health needs. He stated, “The financial assistance from the European Union, executed through our partners like Amref Health Africa, is vital for enhancing the livelihoods of our communities. We appreciate the ongoing commitment and hard work of Amref Health Africa and the EU in improving the health and well-being of our people. This partnership is a valuable opportunity for shaping a brighter future for women, children, and youth in Ethiopia.”
In the last five years, the EU has invested a total of 5 million Euros in the ‘RESET Plus: Scaling Up Family Planning for Resilience Building’ project, targeting drought-prone and chronically food-insecure regions, including Afar, Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Ethiopia.
Beatrice Neri, a representative from the European Union delegation to Ethiopia, emphasized the effectiveness of this collaboration, stating, “We are proud to be part of this successful journey. The partnership is strong because the vision of Amref Health Africa aligns well with the needs of the targeted communities. The RESET Plus project exemplifies this, focusing not only on family planning but also placing women at the heart of community transformation.”
Misrak Makonnan, Country Director of Amref Health Africa, highlighted the EU’s substantial investment, sharing that their partnership has enabled critical health interventions in areas such as sexual and reproductive health, family planning, adolescent health, economic empowerment, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). “We have reached a significant milestone in health service delivery, enabling over 4.5 million people to access essential health resources, thereby strengthening community resilience,” she added.
With the EU’s financial and technical support, Amref Health Africa has trained over 4,500 health workers and supplied 489 health facilities with necessary medical resources. It was reported that nearly 380,000 adolescents and youth have accessed sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning education, through youth-friendly health corners and clubs. Additionally, around 250,000 women of reproductive age have utilized family planning services, and nearly one million community members now enjoy access to safely managed drinking water and improved sanitation facilities, thanks to the construction of around 200 WASH projects, including boreholes and hand-dug wells.
Amref Health Africa, with financial backing from the European Union, has been executing a variety of health initiatives across Ethiopia since 2008. These projects are conducted in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia, various implementing partners, the private sector, and local communities to ensure sustainable health improvements.