Op-ed by Tariku Mekuria
National Portfolio Manager for the Humanitarian Action Programme
When people think of SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia, they often picture children in family-like care settings. That image, while accurate, only tells part of the story, and it risks overlooking one of our most critical roles.
Our journey began with humanitarian action. In 1974, during one of Ethiopia’s most devastating droughts in Tigray, we launched our first humanitarian action intervention. Long before “humanitarian action” was formalized within our organization, it was central to our purpose. That same spirit continues to define us nearly 50 years later.
To strengthen and scale our crisis response, we formally established a dedicated humanitarian action unit in 2016. Since then, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia has evolved into a trusted and capable responder to some of the country’s most pressing and complex crises. Today, we are leading six major humanitarian interventions across Ethiopia.
In Borena, we are addressing the devastating effects of prolonged drought. In Harar and Wollo, we provide life-saving support and protection to communities affected by a combination of drought, conflict, and harmful traditional practices. Our efforts in Tigray focus on helping war-affected communities rebuild through integrated post-conflict recovery. Along the border areas of Somali, Afar, and Oromia, we are advancing peacebuilding initiatives to restore cohesion in communities long divided by violence. And in Geze Gofa, where a deadly landslide struck in 2024, our initial response has grown into ongoing support that now includes agricultural recovery and mental health and psychosocial services, helping communities heal and rebuild their lives.
Our engagement to affected communities continues, not as a one-time response, but as part of our commitment to sustained recovery.
The scale of humanitarian need in Ethiopia is staggering. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, overlapping emergencies, ranging from conflict and forced displacement to recurring climate disasters continue to endanger lives and destabilize communities. Children are always the most affected. Trauma, disrupted education, malnutrition, violence, and abandonment are daily realities for many.
Our response to crisis, is not only swift, but also strategic. In July 2025, we will expand our livelihood support in Borena into a groundbreaking triple nexus initiative linking humanitarian action to long-term development through a focus on nutrition, becoming the first NGO in Ethiopia to implement such a project in collaboration with government stakeholders. This marks a new chapter, one where humanitarian action is integrated, future-focused, and community-led.
None of this is possible without a foundation of quality and accountability. Our work aligns with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), and our dedicated humanitarian action staff members are constantly conducting needs assessments, refining preparedness plans, and crafting strategic plans.
With over a decade of experience in the humanitarian sector, I have come to see our role with deep clarity: to lead with integrity, deliver with quality, and respond with urgency. As we move forward, our focus remains on reaching the most underserved communities by embedding the CHS across all our programmes, managing resources responsibly, and building strong, value-driven partnerships that amplify both our impact and accountability.
SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is and always has been a humanitarian actor. We are not an organization that only steps in after the crisis. We are there during the crisis, and long after, to ensure recovery is real and sustainable. We call on partners, donors, and fellow actors to see the full scope of our work and support efforts that place dignity, protection, and resilience at the centre of response.
With our national strategy 2023–2027 aiming to reach 4.5 million children and young people. The humanitarian action programme is not just part of this plan; it is the backbone that makes much of it possible.
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