West Wollega, Oromia Region — From Jan. 22-24, a delegation from the European Union and the Resilient Inclusive Schooling in Ethiopia (RISE) project consortium — comprising Geneva Global and People in Need—conducted a field mission to West Wollega in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The visit focused on activities supported by EU funding in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and Education in Emergencies (EiE).
The mission reported significant progress across project sites. A total of 1,681 out-of-school children were reintegrated into the education system, while 23 classrooms were rehabilitated. Nine latrine blocks were constructed or restored, and water facilities were built in six schools. In addition, 1,769 students received essential scholastic materials.
During school visits and community consultations, school administrators and Parent-Teacher Association members highlighted the project’s role in creating safe, supportive learning environments and offering new education opportunities. Officials from zonal education and disaster management offices also acknowledged the project’s contribution to supporting conflict-affected children and internally displaced persons, stressing the importance of continued multisectoral collaboration and long-term reintegration efforts.
The mission showcased improvements in student enrollment, attendance, and community engagement. Donor representative Mr. Dawit Gebre, Program Assistant to the ECHO in Ethiopia, provided positive feedback and strategic recommendations, reaffirming their commitment to delivering high-quality interventions that support the recovery of the regional education system.