Government Representatives Visit OSSHD ECHO-Funded Child-Friendly Space in Sheraro
Government Representatives Visit OSSHD ECHO-Funded Child-Friendly Space in Sheraro
Sheraro, 13 July 2026 Government representatives from Mekelle conducted a monitoring visit to the OSSHD ECHO-funded Child-Friendly Space (CFS) in Sheraro. The visit was organized as part of the second-round government monitoring process coordinated by DRC.
During the visit, the delegation observed the implementation of child protection activities, interacted with project staff, and reviewed the services being provided to children. The monitoring team appreciated the efforts being made to create a safe, supportive, and child-friendly environment for vulnerable children and encouraged the continued delivery of quality services.
DRC Global Advisor and Protection Team Visit to OSSHD’s Sheraro Child-Friendly Space
DRC Global Advisor and Protection Team Visit to OSSHD’s Sheraro Child-Friendly Space
On July 8, 2026, OSSHD was honored to welcome the DRC Global Protection Advisor, DRC Protection Coordinator, and the DRC team based in Shire, who visited our ECHO-funded Child-Friendly Space in Sheraro.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase our work, exchange experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions on strengt hening child protection interventions. We greatly appreciated the productive discussions and positive engagement throughout the visit.
OSSHD thank DRC team for visiting our CFS in Sheraro. We value this partnership and the continued support in promoting the protection and well-being of children.
The Thriving Child Tigray
The Thriving Child Tigray
Location of the Project: Tigray Region – 11 Schools located in Sheraro (Northwestern Zone) and Mekoni (Southern Zone)
Types of Beneficiaries: Children (Students), Teachers and Caregivers / School Community Members
Funding Agency: Boston Children’s Hospital Global Health Program and NALA
Executing / Implementing Agencies: OSSHD – Tigray Branch
Project Duration: 01 September 2025 – 28 February 2026 (6 months)
Project Goal
To enhance the resilience, mental well-being, and physical readiness of children to resume their education in a safe and supportive school environment.
The Thriving Child Tigray Project aimed to strengthen the resilience, well-being, and learning readiness of school children affected by the crisis in Tigray. It has integrated School-Based MHPSS and School-Based WASH interventions across 11 schools in Sheraro and Mekoni, benefiting 16,775 students and 275 school community members.
1. School-Based MHPSS (OSSHD):
The MHPSS component has been implemented in three phases:
Community Awareness: School events, drama, music, mini-media, and IEC materials to raise awareness about psychosocial support.
Peer Education: Trained peer facilitators guiding small groups through sessions on understanding, coping, and reporting.
Peer Counseling: Individual and group support for distressed students, with referrals for severe cases.
Additional activities include teacher and student capacity-building and establishment of school health/MHPSS clubs.
2. School-Based WASH (NALA):
NALA a aimed to improve the learning environments by installing water tankers with taps, rehabilitating latrines, and promoting hygiene and sanitation practices.
By combining psychosocial support and improved WASH facilities, the project has enhanced children’s resilience and created safe, supportive school environments.
Rise Up! Strengthening Protection, MHPSS, and Coordination Mechanisms for Addressing Critical Needs in Underserved and Hard-to-Reach Communities in Tigray and Contested Areas, and Enhancing National Coordination through INGO and Protection Cluster Support
Rise Up! Strengthening Protection, MHPSS, and Coordination Mechanisms for Addressing Critical Needs in Underserved and Hard-to-Reach Communities in Tigray and Contested Areas, and Enhancing National Coordination through INGO and Protection Cluster Support
This program is structured around three mutually reinforcing objectives:
• Access to Protection Services:
Delivering tailored, integrated protection services, including protection monitoring, protection case management, GBV case management, child protection case management, legal aid services, and community-based protection initiatives.
• Mental Health Support:
Providing specialized, trauma-informed MHPSS services to address critical gaps for individuals and families in distress.
• Strengthened Coordination and Advocacy:
Enhancing protection responses through robust coordination mechanisms, such as the Protection Cluster and HINGO Group, to promote a principled and effective humanitarian response.
Ongoing implementation of child protection case management activities by OSSHD, as a member of the consortium with DRC under the ECHO-funded project, implemented in Sheraro and Maitsebri.
Target Population:
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities.
Overall Target Beneficiaries:
700 (520 unique beneficiaries)
Project Duration:
April 2025 – March 30, 202
Enhancing In-Site Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) and Area-Based Approach (ABA) in Abi-Adi, Axum, and Asgede, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Enhancing In-Site Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) and Area-Based Approach (ABA) in Abi-Adi, Axum, and Asgede, Tigray Region, Ethiopia
Implementation Period: 01 July 2025 – 31 March 2026 (9 months)
Donor: Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund (EHF)
Implementing Organization: OSSHD
Project Objective
To enhance the effectiveness of CCCM interventions by implementing an integrated, area-based approach that prioritizes sustainable solutions for displacement-affected communities. This includes internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host community members residing both in camps and within host communities.
Project Overview:
The project aims to uphold the dignity, rights, and well-being of displacement-affected populations, both IDPs in camps and those residing in host communities—through strengthened, inclusive, and accountable Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Area-Based Approach (ABA) interventions. It focuses on improving coordinated service delivery, enhancing community participation, and promoting safe and dignified living conditions while supporting pathways to durable solutions such as voluntary return, local integration, or relocation.
To strengthen site governance, the project empowers IDP committees through capacity-building trainings, leadership support, and regular site-level coordination meetings. Essential tools and materials are provided to improve site maintenance, while communal kitchens and drainage rehabilitation support safer, cleaner living environments.
A key component of the intervention is the establishment of ABA coordination and communication centers in each target town. These centers serve as inclusive platforms offering information, referrals, and community engagement opportunities, thereby improving accountability and strengthening social cohesion between IDPs and host communities.
The project is structured around one outcome and three outputs focused on improved coordination, stronger community-based governance, and safer site conditions. Implementation targets the woredas of Axum, Abi-Adi, and Asgede—areas facing fragmented service delivery, weak governance structures, and deteriorating site environments.
Overall, the project targets 197,030 individuals, including 176,137 IDPs, 7,141 returnees, and 13,752 host community members, with a total budget of USD 249,996.67. OSSHD’s strong experience in CCCM and ABA programming ensures effective, sustainable, and community-driven results.
OSSHD Completes Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) for 400 IDP Households in Tigray in 2026.
OSSHD Completes Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) for 400 IDP Households in Tigray in 2026.
OSSHD, with support from ECDC, has successfully implemented two rounds of Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), reaching a total of 400 vulnerable internally displaced person (IDP) households across Tigray.
The first round supported 200 households in Axum, Adwa, and Selekeleka, with 80 households in Axum, 70 in Adwa, and 50 in Selekeleka. Each household received ETB 12,050 through bank transfers in March 2026.
The second round supported 200 households in Abi-Adi, Shire Endasilassie, and Selekeleka, including 100 households in Abi-Adi, 70 in Shire Endasilassie, and 30 in Selekeleka. Each household received ETB 12,050 through bank transfers in June 2026.
Overall, the intervention prioritized highly vulnerable households, including female-headed households, persons with disabilities, elderly-headed households, pregnant and lactating women, and individuals living with chronic illnesses. The MPCA program strengthened transparency, dignity, accountability, and community-based targeting mechanisms, while enabling displaced families to meet their most urgent needs according to their own priorities.
OSSHD extends its sincere appreciation to ECDC for its valuable support in improving the well-being and resilience of vulnerable IDP households in Tigray.
