Africa Humanitarian Action
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Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) is a non-governmental organization that provides relief services to countries in
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
. It was founded by Dr. David Zawde in 1994 in response to the
Rwandan genocide The Rwandan genocide, also known as the genocide against the Tutsi, occurred from 7 April to 19 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War. Over a span of around 100 days, members of the Tutsi ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Gre ...
. In 1994, the Rwandan genocide occurred. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed in
Rwanda Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...
, Africa. At this time, Dr. Dawit Zawde, a medical doctor in
Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...
, noticed the lack of an African response and organized a medical team to respond out of
Kigali Kigali () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is near the nation's geographic centre in a region of rolling hills, with a series of valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. As a primate city, Kigali is a relativ ...
. Formally launched in
Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; ,) is the capital city of Ethiopia, as well as the regional state of Oromia. With an estimated population of 2,739,551 inhabitants as of the 2007 census, it is the largest city in the country and the List of cities in Africa b ...
, within months of its opening, AHA sent two teams of young health and relief professionals during the Rwandan crisis.These professionals hailed from seven African countries—
Benin Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It was formerly known as Dahomey. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its po ...
,
Cameroon Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the R ...
,
Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...
,
Guinea Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Guinea-Bissau to the northwest, Senegal to the north, Mali to the northeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the southeast, and Sier ...
,
Malawi Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over and ...
, Rwanda, and
Senegal Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It borders Mauritania to Mauritania–Senegal border, the north, Mali to Mali–Senegal border, the east, Guinea t ...
, becoming the first African-only Non-government organization (NGO) operating in Rwanda. The AHA teams targeted returnee populations and the internally displaced as they were deployed at two health centers, one in the northwest region at
Tare Tare or Tares may refer to: * Tare (armour), a leg and groin protector used in a number of Japanese martial arts * Tare (legume), several plants of the legume family * Tare (surname), a surname * Tare (tufted grass), a genus of nine species of tu ...
in the Kigali Prefecture and a second at Kabarondo in Kibungo Prefecture in the southeast. They provided unprecedented 24-hour emergency health services and regular out and in-patient care. As the operation in Rwanda grew, AHA decided to extend their presence to other countries in Africa. By the end of 1995, AHA had moved to
Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...
,
Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-Central Africa, central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking world, Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) country in both total area and List of c ...
and began operations in Ethiopia. By the end of 1999, the framework that was implemented in Eastern and Central Africa by AHA had now been transferred to offices in Western Africa. it currently operate in 20 African countries


History


1995–1999

AHA in 1995, published their objectives, in order to establish their focus with humanitarian efforts, which are listed below: * Provide
humanitarian relief Humanitarian aid is material and logistic assistance, usually in the short-term, to people in need. Among the people in need are the homeless, refugees, and victims of natural disasters, wars, and famines. The primary objective of humanitarian a ...
and sustained development support to distressed communities in Africa * Equip displaced people and
refugee A refugee, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is a person "forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country. They are unable to return to their own country because of feared persecution as ...
s with the basic skills necessary to deal with
disaster A disaster is an event that causes serious harm to people, buildings, economies, or the environment, and the affected community cannot handle it alone. '' Natural disasters'' like avalanches, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires are caused by na ...
situations * Develop indigenous capabilities in disaster prevention,
preparedness Preparedness is a set of actions that are taken as precautionary measures in the face of potential disasters. Being prepared helps in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes. There are different types of preparedness, su ...
, relief management and recovery * Create and assist independent, non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-governmental organizations in Africa that embrace their own ideals and objectives * Research, develop, and disseminate information and policies involving governments, institutions, and local communities aimed at reducing the scope and scale of conflict as well as their prevention and resolution * Set up a database of readily available African professional resources for relief and
sustainable development Sustainable development is an approach to growth and Human development (economics), human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.United Nations General ...
initiatives. After this was published, AHA focus turned to
Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...
and
Angola Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west-Central Africa, central coast of Southern Africa. It is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking world, Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) country in both total area and List of c ...
. In Uganda, AHA built from scratch the
infrastructure Infrastructure is the set of facilities and systems that serve a country, city, or other area, and encompasses the services and facilities necessary for its economy, households and firms to function. Infrastructure is composed of public and pri ...
s required to provide health and related services in parts of the country where such facilities were not available. In Angola, AHA became part of a massive international effort to rebuild a nation largely reduced to ashes and rubble. The young organization was disappointed by the forecasts relating to growth in Africa and by the turn of the 90s, growth had fallen short of expectations. In 1994, 35 million people remained at risk from
famine A famine is a widespread scarcity of food caused by several possible factors, including, but not limited to war, natural disasters, crop failure, widespread poverty, an Financial crisis, economic catastrophe or government policies. This phenom ...
; and 20 million others were displaced by conflict and
natural disaster A natural disaster is the very harmful impact on a society or community brought by natural phenomenon or Hazard#Natural hazard, hazard. Some examples of natural hazards include avalanches, droughts, earthquakes, floods, heat waves, landslides ...
s while millions more were succumbing to treatable diseases. In
Rwanda Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...
, AHA expanded from just providing health services to on-the-job training for Rwandan health personnel. As the emotional and psychological repercussions of the crisis started to take a hold of the post-genocide Rwandan population, AHA evolved and started to provide care for psychological issues as well. AHA found that women and children were the major victims of the emotional and psychological changes and along with the UN Fund for Women / Africa Women in Crisis Programme, they began care and counseling services. In 1996, the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, l ...
(UNHCR) invited AHA to play a bigger role in the health sector. AHA was then given management responsibility for the health district of Rwinkwavu in Kibungo Prefecture in the east and Mugonero health district. In 1997, AHA expanded the process of community-based development in Rwanda, which helped AHA improve the health of about 60,000 people. AHA also made it an important project to improve the physical condition of health facilities and restore essential services for refugees/returnees,
internally displaced person An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who is forced to leave their home but who remains within their country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the legal definitions of a refugee. I ...
s (IDPs), and host communities living in the three districts. AHA has fostered local participation in the actual restoration work of the health units. AHA served about 115,000 patients and started different programs that included maternal and child health treatment, family planning,
vaccination Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop immunity from a disease. Vaccines contain a microorganism or virus in a weakened, live or killed state, or proteins or toxins from the organism. In stimulating ...
s and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. AHA also started building houses for 360 families and handed over the completed houses to beneficiaries in Musasa, Rushashi, and Tare communes. At the end of the decade, UNHCR and AHA worked on a project in the northwest of the country; however this was halted due to financial constraints. In the northwest, AHA felt morally obligated to continue providing
health care Health care, or healthcare, is the improvement or maintenance of health via the preventive healthcare, prevention, diagnosis, therapy, treatment, wikt:amelioration, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other disability, physic ...
services to needy returnees and the local population as the rest of the international NGO community retreated due to security concerns and deteriorating conditions. In 1995, AHA entered Uganda providing services to refugee settlers in Mongula, East
Moyo District Moyo District is a district in Northern Region of Uganda. Like many other Ugandan districts, it is named after its "chief town", Moyo, where the district headquarters are located. Location Moyo District is located in Uganda's extreme north, in ...
, which borders
Sudan Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in Northeast Africa. It borders the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Libya to the northwest, Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Eritrea and Ethiopi ...
. These early AHA refugees all hailed from Sudan, following the escalation of fighting between the Sudanese government forces and its southern opponents. AHA provided
immunization Immunization, or immunisation, is the process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an infectious agent (known as the antigen, immunogen). When this system is exposed to molecules that are foreign to the body, called ' ...
services,
reproductive health Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a field of research, health care, and social activism that explores the health of an individual's Human reproductive system, reproductive system and sexual well-being during all stages of their life. Se ...
care, preventive activities, environmental hygiene, and general
health education Health education is a profession of educating people about health. Areas within this profession encompass environmental health, physical health, social health, emotional health, intellectual health, and spiritual health, as well as sexual and r ...
. At the end of the year, AHA also started training a selected group of refugees in the health and
sanitation Sanitation refers to public health conditions related to clean drinking water and treatment and disposal of human excreta and sewage. Preventing human contact with feces is part of sanitation, as is hand washing with soap. Sanitation systems ...
sectors. In 1996, however, AHA evacuated its international and senior staff from Adjumani in East Moyo to the Ugandan capital,
Kampala Kampala (, ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,875,834 (2024) and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kampala, Kawempe Division, Kawempe, Makindy ...
, due to the deteriorating conditions on the ground. AHA also began to manage two health posts previously under the management of Medecins Sans Frontiers – Swiss at Kolididi and Mirieyi. Insurgents also attacked and abducted about 20 refugees and local people including AHA's medical assistant during 1997. By 1999, due to a calming of the chaos, health services were extended to 71,000 refugees and 36,000 nationals living in Adjumani District through 22 health units under AHA management. Angola, entered by AHA in 1995, was part of a massive international effort that resembled the intervention in Rwanda and by the end of the year, Cazombo Municipal Hospital and three other rural hospitals as well as a health post in Kafaria were receiving support from AHA. Cazombo Hospital covered about 2/3s of the entire country and by 1996; there was a notable fall in the
morbidity A disease is a particular abnormal condition that adversely affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism and is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that are asso ...
pattern. The
mortality rate Mortality rate, or death rate, is a measure of the number of deaths (in general, or due to a specific cause) in a particular Statistical population, population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. Mortality rate is typically ...
stood at 2.3% at the end of 1996, from a high of nearly 5%. Health care in Angola was defined by producing preventive/curative health care, general education/information, and sanitation, while hospitals were being equipped with laboratory and surgical equipment. Drug distribution proved harder than it was thought to be. However, by the end of 1997, Cazombo had their own distribution points of clean
potable water Drinking water or potable water is water that is safe for ingestion, either when drunk directly in liquid form or consumed indirectly through food preparation. It is often (but not always) supplied through taps, in which case it is also calle ...
, giving the residents easy access to water for the first time in decades. Cazombo represented great progress until the security situation greatly deteriorated to a point where it was no longer possible for AHA to soldier on. In addition, a budget decrease limited the operations and regular
World Food Programme The World Food Programme (WFP) is an international organization within the United Nations that provides food assistance worldwide. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals. Founded in 1961 ...
(WFP) flights to provincial towns had to be suspended in 1998. All of these problems forced AHA to be relocated to nearby
Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...
. In 1997, AHA planned to enter more countries to provide health care and other services.
Burundi Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is located in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa, with a population of over 14 million peop ...
, Ethiopia, and
Liberia Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to Guinea–Liberia border, its north, Ivory Coast to Ivory Coast–Lib ...
had programs start in 1997, and
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered to the southeast by Liberia and by Guinea to the north. Sierra Leone's land area is . It has a tropical climate and envi ...
had operations but Liberia hosted the staff. AHA was the first medical oriented NGO to provide medical assistance in Burundi as they designed a project for reinforcing health care services in Burundi, aiming to cover the health needs of the population of the province and more than 40,000 displaced/dispersed and regrouped people in 17 camps. In Ethiopia, AHA focused on
family planning Family planning is the consideration of the number of children a person wishes to have, including the choice to have no children, and the age at which they wish to have them. Things that may play a role on family planning decisions include marit ...
and welfare services in Shashemene in the Oromia Regional State. The projects undertaken in Ethiopia were worked on jointly with indigenous NGOs such as LEM, the Environment, and Development Society of Ethiopia, and other national and international NGOs already established in both areas. The project in Liberia started as a trial project with the government as the project focused on both Liberia and Sierra Leone. By the end of 1999, AHA planned to extend its services to
West Africa West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations geoscheme for Africa#Western Africa, United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Gha ...
after the then-OAU approved funds amounting to US$100,000 as a first installment of a two-project cost, estimated at over US$1.5 million in total.


2000–2005

In the year 2000, AHA was actively working in six countries with
emergency relief Emergency management (also Disaster management) is a science and a system charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actu ...
, refugee, and health programmes. The biggest problem AHA faced was the lack of funding for the institutional structures that would make all of its goals a reality. In order to maintain its activities, AHA needed US$350,000. An estimated three million people were displaced in Angola at the onset of the millennium. At UNHCR's request, AHA took on projects for IDPs in three provinces, Maquela do Zombo in Uige and M’Vanza Congo in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...
– from July to December. AHA worked in three camps for the displaced,
Malanje Malanje is the capital city of Malanje Province in Angola, with a population of 455,000 (2014 census), and a municipality, with a population of 506,847 (2014 census). Projected to be the thirteenth fastest growing city on the African continent be ...
, Moxico and Mussenge, and a camp for Katangese refugees. AHA provided the refugees and IDPs with water and sanitation, income generation, housing construction and the building of community centers. AHA became the implementing agency for the water, sanitation, health, and community mobilization components of a UNHCR project. In partnership with
OXFAM Oxfam is a British-founded confederation of 21 independent non-governmental organizations (NGOs), focusing on the alleviation of global poverty, founded in 1942 and led by Oxfam International. It began as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief ...
, it undertook the installation of six water points. In 2000, AHA continued a two-year programme funded by
Pathfinder International Pathfinder International is a global non-profit organization that focuses on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and maternal and newborn health. The organization ...
to develop family planning, reproductive health services, and STI/
HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of '' Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the im ...
/
AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
prevention in two Ethiopian districts. AHA took interest in Shashemene because it has one of the country's main highways passing through it, indirectly contributing to the commercial
sex trade The sex industry (also called the sex trade) consists of businesses that either directly or indirectly provide sex-related products and services or adult entertainment. The industry includes activities involving direct provision of sex-related se ...
in that region. The second selected was Gofa Zuria, 525 km from Addis Ababa, because of minimal infrastructure, low socio-economic development and poor health status. AHA provided health, nutrition, sanitation, and water services to Congolese and Burundian refugees in Rwanda throughout the year supplying staff and technical support to the surgical unit of Kibuye Hospital. The program maintained a health centre for 13,232 Congolese refugees in Kiziba camp. In 2000 alone, the health care center in Kiziba
refugee camp A refugee camp is a temporary Human settlement, settlement built to receive refugees and people in refugee-like situations. Refugee camps usually accommodate displaced people who have fled their home country, but camps are also made for in ...
gave 24,152 consultations and hospitalized 630 people. In Uganda, AHA provides integrated health services to refugees and nationals living in Adjumani district through 24 health units and when the year began AHA targeted 71,392 refugees and 34,000 Ugandans. By the year's end, births, deaths, and new refugee arrivals had brought refugee numbers to 73,590. Ante-natal care (ANC), pre- and post-natal care, family planning,
adolescent sexuality Adolescent sexuality is a stage of human development in which adolescents experience and explore sexual feelings. Interest in sexuality intensifies during the onset of puberty, and sexuality is often a vital aspect of teenagers' lives. Sexual i ...
and monitoring of GBV activities were conducted throughout this period via both static and outreach service delivery points. Out of 1,942 deliveries, 87% were assisted by health units or by
traditional birth attendant A traditional birth attendant (TBA), also known as a traditional midwife, community midwife or lay midwife, is a pregnancy and childbirth care provider. Traditional birth attendants provide the majority of primary maternity care in many develop ...
s (TBA). With inputs from OAU, AHA provided short-term assistance to Sierra Leonean refugees relocated in Sinje, funneling aid through Southwestern Liberia with UNHCR's help. AHA provided for 2,000 families and agricultural tools, seedlings and fertilizers for 460 farming groups. AHA sought funding for two health projects in support of Sierra Leonean refugees in
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It borders the states of Virginia to its south, West Virginia to its west, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east ...
and in Upper Lofta counties. AHA, acting as the implementing partner of the UNHCR, has provided emergency health,
nutrition Nutrition is the biochemistry, biochemical and physiology, physiological process by which an organism uses food and water to support its life. The intake of these substances provides organisms with nutrients (divided into Macronutrient, macro- ...
and sanitation services to refugees in the Mayukwayukwa settlement area in Zambia since January 2000. The program began in response to the serious conditions created by the influx of refugees from Angola, Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...
, and Rwanda, with the great majority of the refugees being Angolans, the camp catered to 18,000 refugees by the end of the year. In 2001, AHA continued its partnership with the UNHCR and related support programmes for refugees in Angola, Liberia,
Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...
, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. The humanitarian situation in Angola did not improve in 2001. While the government recaptured many areas, this did not bring security or free movement of people and goods. Humanitarian organizations, including AHA, had to continue providing emergency support in order to avert a catastrophic situation in the crisis area. AHA carried out
community education Community education, also known as Community-Based Education or Community Learning & Development, or Development Education is an organization's programs to promote learning and social development work with individuals and groups in their commun ...
programmes in partnership with UNHCR,
UNICEF UNICEF ( ), originally the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children's Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing Humanitarianism, humanitarian and Development a ...
, WFP, the
British Embassy This is a list of diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, excluding honorary consulates. The UK has one of the largest global networks of diplomatic missions. UK diplomatic missions to capitals of other Co ...
, and
Save the Children The Save the Children Fund, commonly known as Save the Children, is an international non-governmental organization. It was founded in the UK in 1919; its goal is to improve the lives of children worldwide. The organization raises money to imp ...
UK. The programmes included HIV/AIDS awareness,
microcredit Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically do not have access to traditional banking services due to a lack of collateral (finance), collateral, steady employment, and a verifiable credi ...
education, preschool activities, and assistance with displaced women. AHA worked in the Viana (refugee camp) with IDPs from the provinces of
Malange Malange () is a commune in the Jura department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in eastern France. Population See also *Communes of the Jura department The following is a list of the 492 communes of the Jura department of France. The co ...
, Moxico and Kwanza. Micro credit projects with aims at improving the livelihood of displaced families, particularly those headed by women, by providing access to credit for small-scale trading were undertaken. Over 140 people have received loans in 2001. The Family planning /Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention project in Ethiopia was in 30 rural and semi-urban locations of Gofa and Shashamene
woredas Districts of Ethiopia, also called woredas (; ''woreda''), are the third level of the administrative divisions of Ethiopia – after '' zones'' and the '' regional states''. These districts are further subdivided into a number of wards call ...
with 260,000 target beneficiaries in 164 peasant associations. In 2001, more community based reproductive health (CBRH) project sites were initiated in Boloso Sore and
Sodo Zuria Sodo Zuria (Amharic "Greater Sodo Area") is one of the woredas in the South Ethiopia Regional State of Ethiopia. Part of the Wolayita Zone, Sodo Zuria is bordered on the southwest by Offa, on the west by Kindo Koysha, on the northwest by Damot S ...
districts, and over 164
kebele A ward (; ; ) is the smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia: a ward, a neighbourhood or a localized and delimited group of people. Somali word that has meaning of collected people where water is fairly sufficient and available to prolongue thei ...
s of the four districts received CBRH cervices in place. Services to beneficiary communities gradually improved in quality and quantity, as a significant change in attitudes was registered. As a result, the demand for more contraceptives and protective know-how increased. Initially, the Namibian Ministry of health and Social Services provided curative health services at the
Osire Osire is a refugee camp in central Namibia, situated 200 km north of the capital Windhoek next to the main road C30 road (Namibia), C30 from Gobabis to Otjiwarongo. It was established in 1992 to accommodate refugees from Angola, Burundi, the Democra ...
refugee camp and the Namibia Red Cross Society was responsible for the preventive health care in Namibia, as an implementing partner of the UNHCR. In May 2001, the management of curative health care services was transferred to AHA. Prior to assuming responsibilities, AHA analyzed the situation in the Osire camp and made a member of proposals for improvements, later accepted by the Namibia Government and UNHCR. AHA provided treatment to over 23,000 refugees in the Osire refugee camp, as Angolan refugees accounted for over 95% of the base population. Since 1995, AHA, on behalf of the
Government of Uganda The politics of Uganda occurs in an Authoritarianism, authoritarian context. Since assuming office in 1986 at the end of the Ugandan Bush War, Ugandan civil war, Yoweri Museveni has ruled Uganda as an Autocracy, autocrat. Political party, Politi ...
and the UNHCR, has implemented health services to both the refugee community and the national population in the Adjumani district of Uganda. AHA participated in the development of the health services as operations has gradually grown to a network of 23 permanent health units, which are equipped with VHF radios. In 2001, AHA has assisted more than 57,700 refugees and 40,000 nationals, with 1,753 births were registered and 291 deaths. In Zambia, AHA assumed responsibility for the Nyangweso refugee camp. AHA operates through a community-based referral system and early identification of cases by community health workers, trained traditional birth attendants, and outreach primary health staff and health related education. In 2002, AHA hosted its Second Assembly of International Trustees. New trustees were introduced and Dr.
Salim Ahmed Salim Salim Ahmed Salim (, , born 23 January 1942) is a Tanzanian politician and diplomat who has worked in the international diplomatic arena since the early 1960s. He served as prime minister for one year, from 1984 to 1985. Early life Salim was b ...
, a prominent African personality, was elected as AHA's Chairman. Sheik
Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi (; born 21 July 1946) is an Ethiopian-born Saudi billionaire businessman. Born in Ethiopia to a Yemeni father from Hadhramaut and a mother from Wollo Province, he migrated to Saudi Arabia with his brother Mauric ...
, a well known entrepreneur was named Co-chair. Among the Assembly's resolutions, the decision endorsing the formation of AHA country associations stands out as particularly timely. The assembly decided to diversify AHA's activities more aggressively, to engage in HIV/AIDS, TB, and
malaria Malaria is a Mosquito-borne disease, mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects vertebrates and ''Anopheles'' mosquitoes. Human malaria causes Signs and symptoms, symptoms that typically include fever, Fatigue (medical), fatigue, vomitin ...
. Angola underwent massive change during 2002. First a ceasefire and then a peace agreement were finally negotiated between the warring factions. The assembly of UNITA soldiers and families presented emergency problems, as there was severe
malnourishment Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients which adversely affects the body's tissues a ...
between both adult and child population, however, due to the intervention of the Government, UN and NGOs, the situation was abated. In Ethiopia, AHA started the second phase of its integrated family planning, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS prevention programme, expanding its coverage in the southern part of the country from two to seven woredas. AHA's activities in Zambia focused on providing health nutrition, sanitation activities in Nangweshi and Mayukwayukwa refugee camps. The project, which is responsible for over 22,000 refugees in each camp and about 5000 local residents in the surrounding area, was supported by a wide variety of local and international organizations – UNHCR, ECHO, UNICEF, WFP, the Italian government, and our local partners at the ministry of health, and in the field. In 2003, AHA continued its advocacy and response services (health and community, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and
primary education Primary education is the first stage of Education, formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary education. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first schools and middle s ...
) to 43,500 refugees, IDPs and returnees in Angola, 125,000 in Burundi, 635,000 in Ethiopia, 17,500 in Namibia, 16,000 in Rwanda, 430,000 in Uganda and 65,000 in Zambia. AHA was also able to increase its corporate staff resources and enhance the perception of the organization. AHA responded to the
2003 Boumerdès earthquake The 2003 Boumerdès earthquake occurred on May 21 at in northern Algeria. The shock had a moment magnitude of 6.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (''Extreme''). The epicentre of the earthquake was located near the town of Thénia in Boum ...
by providing material assistance to the victims and by establishing a Liaison Office for
North Africa North Africa (sometimes Northern Africa) is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region. However, it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of t ...
. AHA also opened a Liaison office in
East Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...
in
Nairobi Nairobi is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kenya. The city lies in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of . The name is derived from the Maasai language, Maasai phrase , which translates to 'place of cool waters', a ...
,
Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
, which undertook assessment missions to
Southern Sudan Southern Sudan may refer to: * the southern regions of the present-day Republic of Sudan in North Africa * South Sudan South Sudan (), officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the nor ...
and
Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...
. AHA made a presentation at the International Symposium on Refugees in Africa, organized by the Japanese Government in
Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
in June 2003. AHA had earned widespread recognition as an experienced and well-functioning organization, which permitted it to go into
Darfur Darfur ( ; ) is a region of western Sudan. ''Dār'' is an Arabic word meaning "home f – the region was named Dardaju () while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë , and it was renamed Dartunjur () when the Tunjur ruled the area. ...
, Sudan, swiftly in response once mote to violence, displacement and desperate need. AHA, in 2004, brought together its partners from around the world with an African-set agenda. The event attracted representatives of hundreds of leading aid agencies and frontline NGOs. In collaboration with the AU, AHA organized the International Symposium on "Building the Capacity and Resources of African Non Governmental Organizations" in Addis Ababa. Building on the accomplishments of the Symposium, AHA helped form the African Centre for Humanitarian Action (ACHA). ACHA and other initiatives were viewed to not only increase the resources and capacity of African NGOs but also raise their international standing. In 2004, AHA continued its health and social programmes for refugees and returnees in Angola, Burundi, Congo (DR), the
Republic of Guinea Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a coastal country in West Africa. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Guinea-Bissau to the northwest, Senegal to the north, Mali to the northeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the southeast, and Sier ...
, Liberia, Namibia, and Ethiopia. In September, AHA launched an emergency intervention in Darfur and started planning for support to South Sudan in 2005. AHA also made a concerted effort to reach out to the corporate sector with innovative and progressive methods, already providing education, health, and social services to many of Africa's citizens. Angola continued to recover in 2005 from its most recent turmoil. There were still was an estimated 91,000 people who remained displaced in Angola in 2005. 11,322 returnees and 186,710 patients benefited from AHA programs including but not limited to Capacity Building, Training of TBAs and community health workers, mine awareness, medical services and water and sanitation. As of November 2005, 200,000 Burundi refugees had been repatriated. According to the UNHCR, in 2005, 60,288 Burundian refugees were still living in DR Congo and 2,000 in Rwanda. The total number of beneficiaries in 2005 IDPS and refugees respectively was 118,000 and 486,000. The war with Ethiopia and
Eritrea Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa, with its capital and largest city being Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the Eritrea–Ethiopia border, south, Sudan in the west, and Dj ...
resulted in hundreds of thousands of displaced people. Ethnic clashes had left nearly 100,000 Ethiopians internally displaced. The total number of refugees and IDPs was 65,293 and 250,000 respectively. An estimated 38,500 refugees had gone through the UNHCR-led voluntary
repatriation Repatriation is the return of a thing or person to its or their country of origin, respectively. The term may refer to non-human entities, such as converting a foreign currency into the currency of one's own country, as well as the return of mi ...
program started in 2004. As of 2005, 210,000 Liberian IDPs had been assisted to return home. The total number of refugees and IDPs was 23,000 and 464,000 respectively. More than four years after the issue of internal displacement was taken off the agenda in Rwanda, conditions in the villages inhabited by the resettled IDPs call for renewed attention. An organized repatriation process had begun, even though; there is still intimidation of those seeking to return by leaders trying to keep their resistance intact. The total number of refugees and IDPs was 145,704 and 4,158 respectively. 2,610,000 people had been affected by the violence in Darfur and some estimates put the death toll as high as 300,000 caused by the conflict between the government forces and, the SLA, JEM and
Janjaweed The Janjaweed () are an Sudanese Arabs, Arab nomad militia group operating in the Sahel, Sahel region, specifically in Sudan, particularly in Darfur and eastern Chad. They have also been speculated to be active in Yemen. According to the United ...
military action, exposure, starvation and disease. An estimated of six million of Sudanese citizens had been forced to leave their home as a direct or indirect result of fighting between government troops and allied militias and various insurgent groups. The total number of refugees and IDPs was 693,267 and 5,300,000 respectively. The various programmes AHA participated in were
food distribution Food distribution is the process where a general population is supplied with food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers food distribution as a subset of the Food systems, food system. The process and methodology behind food distri ...
and medical services.


2006–2010

In a time where Angola was slowly recovering from almost three decades of armed conflict that displaced more than four million people, AHA's programmes in Angola actively worked on providing healthcare. During 2006, AHA attended to more than 50,000 people at its health post/centers and delivered health education to more than 10,000 people, during which time AHA recorded a minimal
mortality rate Mortality rate, or death rate, is a measure of the number of deaths (in general, or due to a specific cause) in a particular Statistical population, population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. Mortality rate is typically ...
, well within
WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 6 regional offices and 15 ...
accepted standards, thus providing timely and effective protection and assistance to the Angolan returnees and local communities. In addition to efforts on health, one of the many programmes implemented by AHA in the same year was on building the strengths and capacities with individuals, communities, and local organization. In 2006, around 1,000 people were trained as Community Based Reproductive Health Agents and 100 people living with HIV/AIDS were educated in income generating programs in developing the capacities of assisted communities in Southern Ethiopia, with the training of 1,000 Community Based Reproductive Health Agents, along with many other staff. In Liberia, increasing health concerns resulted in AHA's establishment of five new clinics, in addition to their pre-existing two health centers and 17 clinics, thus increasing access to essential healthcare services for returnees, ex-combatants and local residents in 2006. In the same year, AHA focused on medical consultations, most commonly for the treatment of malaria, sexually transmitted infections,
diarrhea Diarrhea (American English), also spelled diarrhoea or diarrhœa (British English), is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration d ...
, and
respiratory tract infection Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are infectious diseases involving the lower or upper respiratory tract. An infection of this type usually is further classified as an upper respiratory tract infection (URI or URTI) or a lower respiratory tract ...
s. As a result, the number of people choosing to access services boomed, as well as a steadier rate in professionally overseen births. In light of hostilities in the Darfur region of Sudan, AHA implemented an innovative protection programme in 2006. The Enhancement of Civilian Protection from Physical Atrocities project put into operation measures to safeguard vulnerable populations, especially IDPs, from imminent harm and avert recurring harm. AHA's work included; the training and implementation of Protection Officers, facilitated dialogue, trust and confidence building exercises, increased co-ordination with external protection forces and ways to address resource scarcity. By 2007, protective measures were put in place against gender violence in the Darfur region, in addition to the initiation of income generation projects to support Darfurians living in camps based in El-Fasher. Among many of the income generation projects initiated, AHA strengthened its activities in
animal health Animal Health was a UK government executive agency primarily responsible for ensuring that farmed animals in Great Britain were healthy, disease-free and well looked after. One of its key roles was to implement government policies aimed at preve ...
treatment activities in Kilmando, Wadaáh and Dar Salam areas of Darfur.
Camel A camel (from and () from Ancient Semitic: ''gāmāl'') is an even-toed ungulate in the genus ''Camelus'' that bears distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on its back. Camels have long been domesticated and, as livestock, they provid ...
s,
cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are calle ...
,
donkey The donkey or ass is a domesticated equine. It derives from the African wild ass, ''Equus africanus'', and may be classified either as a subspecies thereof, ''Equus africanus asinus'', or as a separate species, ''Equus asinus''. It was domes ...
s, and
chicken The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl (''Gallus gallus''), originally native to Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and is now one of the most common and w ...
s are basic assets for the wellbeing of Darfurians who economically rely on their animals to transport firewood, haul water, and to provide income and food. Over the years since 2007, AHA has saved the lives of thousands of livestock in Sudan thus ensuring food security for many conflict-affected populations and easing tensions between communities. Cognizant of the devastating personal and socio-economic impacts of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), AHA made SGBV a top priority in 2007, with offices in Rwanda, Namibia and Burundi notably spearheading these efforts. AHA created a working group on GBV in Rwanda, which provided training to numerous relevant partners, including refugee and community members. 2007 saw UNHCR assign a consultant to work on
gender equality Gender equality, also known as sexual equality, gender egalitarianism, or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making, an ...
and SGBV in the Osire camp in Namibia, bringing about awareness and ultimately sexual behavior, while in Burundi AHA initiated a series of training and information/education session where audio-visual aids were used to send clear messages about the importance of prevention. Throughout 2008 training programmes were held with the aim of developing existing skills and impart a sustainable means of living. Training was provided to refugees in Burundi on income generation concept and management as well as other practical teachings of six months in
sewing Sewing is the craft of fastening pieces of textiles together using a sewing needle and thread. Sewing is one of the oldest of the textile arts, arising in the Paleolithic era. Before the invention of spinning yarn or weaving fabric, archaeo ...
and
carpentry Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, Shipbuilding, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. C ...
. Close to 140 income generating associations were gearing to launch their activities some of whom have already benefited from their initiatives to develop selected activities for which they received money. Meanwhile, AHA's Zambia Assistance for Urban Refugees programme worked to build the capacities of refugees integrated with host communities through several projects such as support for refugee children by facilitating basic primary education and overseeing 30 education scholarship programmes in an attempt to secure a brighter future. AHA executed its Early Epidemics Detection scheme in 2008 and successfully controlled the outbreak of
meningitis Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively called the meninges. The most common symptoms are fever, intense headache, vomiting and neck stiffness and occasion ...
,
Ebola Ebola, also known as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a viral hemorrhagic fever in humans and other primates, caused by ebolaviruses. Symptoms typically start anywhere between two days and three weeks after in ...
and
cholera Cholera () is an infection of the small intestine by some Strain (biology), strains of the Bacteria, bacterium ''Vibrio cholerae''. Symptoms may range from none, to mild, to severe. The classic symptom is large amounts of watery diarrhea last ...
in the Adjumani District of Uganda as well as reducing the child and maternal mortality rates. 2008 marked a successful year in terms of access, proximity, consultation, drug availability and referral and paramedic services to refugees and communities in Uganda. In 2009, AHA supplied potable water to the growing number of refugees in Aysaita and
Berhale Berahle (also transliterated Barahle and Berahile) is a town in north-eastern Ethiopia. Located in Kilbet Rasu, Afar Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of with an altitude of 639 meters above sea level. It is the largest town in Berh ...
camp of Ethiopia through a tripartite agreement with UNHCR and the
Government of Ethiopia The government of Ethiopia () is the federal government of Ethiopia. It is structured in a framework of a federal republic, federal parliamentary system, parliamentary republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, prime minister is the hea ...
's Administration for Refugee Affairs (ARRA) established in 2008. Both camps are now supplied with the standard 20 liters of water per day and newly constructed sanitation facilities. In addition, AHA was responsible for the erection and management of shelters at the Boko Mayo and Melkadida refugee camps in the Somali region of Eastern Ethiopia. In the same year, to combat the high level of
communicable disease An infection is the invasion of tissue (biology), tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host (biology), host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmis ...
s such as malaria, STI, respiratory tract infections and diarrhea, AHA worked closely with the Ministry of Health in Liberia by launching numerous promotional activities that has helped sensitize communities and engaged them in various forms of similar activities. AHA's efforts in the relief and recovery of refugees in the DRC are concentrated in two provinces: the Katanga and Equateur Provinces. 2009 was a year of much progress in capacity development in these two provinces. In Katanga, AHA's repatriation based projects provided medical attention and assistance to returnees from Zambia and
Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...
. AHA has also facilitated the construction of latrines and showers, as well as furniture replenishments such as closets and chair in Katanga. In the Equateur Province, AHA collaborated with other INGOs to be the implementing partner of the UNHCR in efforts to improve the health status of returnees. Some of the programmes that were implemented included: * Community awareness of HIV/AIDS, * Malnutrition, * Malaria, and * Hygiene In 2010, AHA provided Ethiopian refugee communities at risk of infection with HIV/AIDS services. More than 3,000 young refugees participated in an adolescent and youth education initiative on sexually transmitted diseases in Southern Ethiopia. Peer educators and counselors were guided on a monthly basis in places like
Wolayita Welayta, Wolayta, Wolayita or Wolaita may refer to: * Wolayta people, an ethnic group of Ethiopia * Wolaytta language, spoken by the Welayta people * Wolayita Zone, a zone in SNNPR, Ethiopia * Kingdom of Welaytta, a Welaytta kingdom founded in medi ...
and Gamo Goffa zones, while schools and community based anti-AIDS clubs were supported at various capacities in the zones. With an objective of improving healthcare at household and community levels, AHA also focused on over 3 million beneficiaries with a need for improved healthcare for newborns and mothers in 28 districts of Gamo Goffa, Hadiya, Kembata Tembaro and Wolayita zones of Southern Ethiopia. Consecutively, in their relief and recovery efforts, AHA was mandated with the management of
Makeni Makeni is the largest city in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The city is the capital of Bombali District, and is the economic center of the Northern Province. Makeni is the fifth largest city in Sierra Leone by population. The city of ...
and Chilenje Transit Centers of Zambia in 2010. AHA's responsibilities included: * Provision of accommodation, * Food and counseling to refugees, * Arranging transportation to settlement areas, and * Transferring of refugees in need of medical attention to health centers 473 beneficiaries used these services, 254 of whom where children from the DRC, Burundi, Somalia and Rwanda. The centers also facilitated the resettlement of refugees to other areas including western countries.


Timeline

*1994 – AHA was founded in response to the Rwanda Genocide. *1995 – AHA began to offer services in Angola and Uganda, with healthcare at the core of its work *1996 – AHA ventured into shelter development for the first time in Rwanda, helping provide housing for the most vulnerable groups of widows, handicapped, and families caring for orphans. *1997 – AHA expanded its services to Burundi, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone *1998 – AHA revised financial and personal management procedures and its field operation guidelines to ensure further organizational accountability and transparency. *1999 – AHA executed an emergency intervention in response to the Algerian earthquake while initiating Family planning/Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS projects in 30 rural locations of Ethiopia. *2000 – With a new determination for growth, AHA called on financial support from larger institutions as it expanded even further into the African continent, branching into Zambia. *2001 – AHA diversified its services in Namibia after full responsibility of Osire Refugee Camp management was transferred to it by the UNHCR. *2002 – AHA moved briefly into Somalia with hopes of addressing the ongoing problems in the region. *2003 – AHA opened a Liaison Office for East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, which undertook an assessment mission to Southern Sudan. *2004 – AHA continued to grow, providing services to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Guinea and Sudan. In partnership with the
African Union The African Union (AU) is a continental union of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the African Union. The b ...
, AHA organized an International Symposium addressing "Building Capacity and Resources of African Non-Governmental Organizations". *2005 – AHA established the African Centre for Humanitarian Action, with the n=mission of enhancing partnerships and service delivery between humanitarian organizations. *2006 – AHA launched its Volunteer Programme to enable young humanitarians better understand the challenges facing the African continent. *2007 – AHA produced its toolkit on the "Responsibility to Protect: from Non-interference to Non-Indifference". *2008 – AHA secured a consultative status with the United Nations Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC). *2009 – AHA celebrated its 15th anniversary and forges forward in its mission of providing humanitarian assistance to alleviate human suffering. In addition, AHA signed a memorandum of partnership with the Africa Development Bank, helping to build AHA's institutional capacity. *2010 – AHA has expanded into Cameroon in the aim of providing primary health care services for the refugees if Central African Republic (CAR).


References


External links

* {{official website, https://web.archive.org/web/20120908024324/http://www.africahumanitarian.org:80/ Humanitarian aid organizations Organizations based in Africa International charities