MHDI programs and projects information

As its name shows, Metekel Humanistic and Development Initiative-MHDI is a humanistic and development initiative. Therefore, the initiative focuses on three thematic area/pillars, which includes: Humanitarian, Development and Peace. The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach is a shared vision, which puts into effect the synergies between actors of the humanitarian, development, and peace community. Humanitarian needs are a result of the absence of peace: If there are conflicts, there is also humanitarian need. Development is hindered by conflict and violence: Peace & Development are directly proportional, Humanitarian needs that are a result of violence often take precedence over development: Humanitarian support Consumes Development Resources. Therefore, the three pillars/Thematic areas also consist of sub components which include:

Humanitarian assistance: food and non-food items, wash, and shelter) for IDPs & Returnees,
Sustainable Peace : Conflict prevention, management and peace building and
Development initiatives: health, education, WaSH, agriculture, environment, culture, women empowerment, Protection of human rights social minority groups.

EXPERIENCE OF MHDI AND KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

As an emerging CSO which strive its best to respond to basic needs of IDPs and social minority/marginalized group, MHDI has implemented the following programs/projects:

1. Prior to its current form or during establishment, the initiative has supported about 255 HHs (1275 Individuals) of IDPs from Metekel Zone (Benishangul-Gumuz regional State), and Awi Zone (Amhara regional State) who are highly affected by conflicts in the Zones, by providing food and non-food items, since the inception of MHDI establishment (2020/2021).
2. In addition, MHDI has provided humanitarian support for IDPs of Metekel (Chagni & Bulen), especially for 70 pregnant and lactating mothers with high nutritional value food items, whose grant source is from Abronet-UK (2022).
3. MHDI has also implemented a project that Strengthens capacity of local government & community structures on peace building and human right that helps Social Minorities and more venerable groups right protection (Women, children enders and PWD), in targeted Awi Zone two Woredas (Guangua and Jawi Woredas) in Amhara Regional State”. The project is supported from British Council-BC, CSSP2 Emerging CSO capacity building program grant. These capacity building program has benefited directly 117 (35 females) from Woreda and kebeles level government and community leaders who are working on peace building, human right, gender policy advocacy, women empowerment, good governance; and 3930(1625 females) local community members. In addition, the program has also indirectly benefitted about 15,750 (7470 females) local community residents. (2022/2023).
4. Since Novemebr-2024, , MHDI is implementing a project Entitled: strengthening capacity of local government & community structures to bring sustainable peace and safeguard the human rights of social minorities & venerable IDPs groups through active engagement of citizens, in Metekel zone, Mandura and Dangur Woredas ( at 10 kebeles), to benefit directly 960 and indirectly 12,000 local government and community representatives and the community at large .The project is a one year project (November-01/2024 to October -30/2025) with project total cost of 50,000.00 Euro, which is funded by EU/CSF+ and Developmewnt Expert Center-DEC, as Capacity development program for Local and grassroot Civil Society Organizations-CDP_LG_CSOs. Under this project, conflict prevention, Conflcit resolution, peace building, Indigenous & traditional justice promotion and most venurable group right protection is key mile stone, for the project. The Lead agency for this project is WHH, with Co-lead of Development Expert Center-DEC and COSAP, and Implemented by Metekel Humanistic and development Initiative-MHDI.