From Displacement to Dignity: Rebuilding Hope in Debre Berhan

In the face of crisis, ECDO mobilized to provide over 10,000 households with essential food, sanitary supplies, and crucial psychosocial support. This is the story of Abeba, a mother of three, and how this intervention provided a lifeline for her family and her community.

When conflict erupted, Abeba's village was among the first to be affected. Forced to flee with only what they could carry, her family found shelter in a temporary camp in Debre Berhan City. "We had lost everything," she recalls. "There was no food, no clean water, and no hope for what the next day would bring. The fear was constant."

A Lifeline in Times of Need

It was during this period of uncertainty that ECDO, in collaboration with local government stakeholders, launched its emergency response program. Our teams worked tirelessly to mobilize resources, procuring and distributing high-nutrition food items, hygiene kits, and clean water solutions.

For Abeba's family, the arrival of these supplies was a turning point. "The food saved us from hunger, but the hygiene kits were just as important," she explains. "They helped us stay healthy in a crowded place and restored a small piece of our dignity."

Healing Wounds Beyond the Physical

Beyond the material aid, ECDO recognized the deep psychological trauma experienced by the displaced population. We established safe spaces where individuals, especially women and children, could receive psychosocial support from trained counselors. These sessions provided a platform for them to share their experiences, process their trauma, and begin the slow journey of healing.

"Talking to the counselors helped me release a great burden. For the first time since we fled, I felt like I could breathe again. I wasn't just a victim; I was a survivor."

ECDO's intervention in Debre Berhan highlights our holistic approach to humanitarian aid—addressing not only the immediate physical needs but also the long-term mental and emotional well-being of those affected by crisis. Abeba's story is one of thousands demonstrating that with timely support, communities can find the strength to rebuild and reclaim their future.