SND and Terre des Hommes Netherlands Conduct High-Level Joint Review Mission for the Ethiopia Joint Response (EJR) Project

Strategies for Northern Development (SND) has concluded a successful three-day joint review mission with Terre des Hommes Netherlands, represented by senior officials from both the Ethiopia Country Office and the Global Humanitarian Unit, between 11th and 13th November 2025.

The mission was designed to review two years of achievements under the Ethiopia Joint Response (EJR) Project, assess ongoing field interventions, strengthen collaboration with local authorities, and jointly define the trajectory for the remaining project implementation period.

The EJR Project, implemented in the drought-affected areas of the Borena Zone, focuses on enhancing child protection, strengthening community systems, expanding psychosocial support to vulnerable children, and improving overall humanitarian response structures within displacement-affected communities.

A Comprehensive Review Grounded in Evidence and Field Realities

The three-day mission combined strategic review sessions with extensive field engagements in Higo and Dubluk Kebeles, including the Dubluk IDP site. These locations are home to critical SND-led child protection interventions, particularly the establishment of three fully operational Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) that offer safe, structured environments for displaced children.

The delegation toured the facilities, interacted closely with children, caregivers, community committees, and local authorities, and observed the day-to-day activities that underpin the effectiveness of these spaces. Children were seen actively engaging in play, learning activities, and social interaction — a powerful indicator of restored normalcy and emotional safety.

Stakeholder Engagement: Stronger Systems, Increased Ownership

The visit facilitated meaningful engagement with the Women and Children Affairs Office, the local administration, and the Dubluk IDP Selection Committee, all of whom play essential roles in sustaining project gains.

Institutional Perspective

Ms. Daki, Head of the Women and Children Affairs Office in Dubluk, highlighted the transformative impact of capacity-building efforts under the EJR Project:

“We have fully benefited from the extensive training and technical support provided through this project. Our service delivery has significantly improved. We now engage mothers, children, and community members with more confidence and clarity. The Child-Friendly Space is not just a structure — it is a permanent footprint in the hearts of this community.”

Her remarks underscored the role the project has played in strengthening local systems and building long-term institutional resilience.

Community Ownership at the Core of Project Success

The Dubluk IDP Selection Committee, which works alongside SND in identifying and supporting vulnerable households and monitoring the implementation of interventions, echoed similar sentiments of appreciation and ownership.

The Chairlady of the Committee shared:

“SND, Terre des Hommes, and our committee have worked as one team. At no point were we sidelined or overwhelmed. Every step — from identification to selection and oversight — was done together. This has created trust, unity, and shared responsibility for the wellbeing of our community.”

 

 

 

Her testimony reflects the project’s unique participatory approach, in which communities are not merely beneficiaries but active decision-makers and co-implementers.

Global Perspective: Observing Protection in Action

One of the most striking reflections came from Mr. Damalesh, Head of the Global Humanitarian Unit at Terre des Hommes Netherlands. His remarks captured not only the technical success of the intervention but also its emotional weight:

“What I witnessed in the Child-Friendly Spaces was powerful. The children were so absorbed in genuine play that they did not even notice the presence of visitors. That level of safety, comfort, and natural behaviour is the true measure of a functioning child protection intervention.”

His statement reinforces global humanitarian principles that emphasise restoring dignity, normalcy, and psychological wellbeing for children affected by crises.

A Partnership Built on Trust, Collaboration, and Impact

Throughout the mission, both SND and Terre des Hommes reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, accountability, and community-centred programming. The review highlighted:

  • Significant progress toward child protection outcomes
  • Strengthened coordination with local authorities
  • Increased community confidence and trust
  • Sustainable capacity development for government offices
  • Improved safety and wellbeing for displaced children
  • Joint planning for future scaling and system strengthening

The visit also served as a platform to discuss upcoming priorities for the next phase of the project, ensuring alignment with community needs, government structures, and humanitarian standards.

Looking Ahead

SND remains committed to working closely with Terre des Hommes Netherlands, local authorities, community structures, and stakeholders to enhance the protection, wellbeing, and resilience of children and families across the Borena Zone.

Through strong partnerships and shared dedication, the EJR Project continues to shape safer environments, empower local institutions, and deliver tangible, lasting impact in displacement-affected communities.