The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives have been shattered by disaster or conflict to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.  USAID/OFDA awards IRC with the funds to provide Emergency Rapid Response to water, sanitation and hygiene disasters throughout Ethiopia.

 

IRC has helped build GTLI’s capacity in financial management and rapid implementation. IRC partners with GTLI to provide emergency water-related relief in South Omo Zone, where the flooding of the Omo River in SW Ethiopia has been more frequent each year. During the last several years, the severity of the flooding has increased, (the highland areas are extensively deforested). When torrential rains occur, the Omo River floods 200 km downstream.

 

GTLI hires emergent community leaders from previous WASH projects as temporary employees to help motivate new communities to transition to healthy hygiene and sanitation behavior within 4 months. This strategy not only provides an opportunity for these early adopters to earn money (at least 35% are female), it also reinforces their technical skills.