Who We Are
A Few Words
About Us
HelpAge Ethiopia is a network member of HelpAge International, a global network of organizations working towards a fairer world for older people so they can live safe, healthy, and dignified lives. In addition to working with more than 170 network members in 91 countries, HelpAge International operates country program offices in 13 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
Over the years, the HelpAge International Ethiopia office has been engaging in
various service provision activities including humanitarian and development
assistance. HelpAge International has also played a key role in promoting the rights
of older people and building the capacity of partners and stakeholders for
sustainable change. These include setting up of advocacy framework and
coordinating higher-level policy dialogues; strengthening the capacity of age-
inclusive organizations and older people groups to own and demonstrate actions on
and supporting consultative process between OPAs and CSO partners on a list of
priority issues and agendas, facilitating them to take lead on the day-to-day
implementation of project activities at local, district and regional levels.
HelpAge International Ethiopia country program enjoys excellent rapport with the
National and Local Government Authorities in Ethiopia including the Ministry of
Health, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, The Refugees and Returnees Service,
Authority for Civil Society Organizations, and Regional Administration and Local
Government structures. The country program also works with Government
Institutions, Research/Academic Institutions, UN agencies, Network members, and
Local partners based in Ethiopia.
HelpAge International Ethiopia country program’s current focus areas are Income
security, Healthy Ageing, and Inclusive Humanitarian Action. More specifically, our
sectoral interventions address social protection, health and wellbeing, nutrition,voice/advocacy, livelihoods, protection, and inclusion in both humanitarian and
development contexts.
In line with its organizational commitment to the Charter for Change, a key element
of the HelpAge International Global Strategy 2030, HelpAge International has been
transitioning all country programs to be locally led and managed by national
2024/25. To this end, HelpAge International`s country office in Ethiopia has been
undergoing a series of consultations for the past 3 years with stakeholders`
including target beneficiaries to figure out the best option to embrace localization
ambition.
The Transition Process.
In November 2021, HelpAge International issued a position paper on Locally Led
development, which emphasized the impact of this commitment both at the
organizational and at the country level.
The country office completed the localization assessment after successfully
conducting stakeholders’ and partners’ consultations and learning from others who
have moved through similar journeys. The transition pathway began with an overall
Process of familiarization and consultation with staff on the position paper. A joint
consultation session was organized between the Localization team and country
team and consensus was reached on the localization schedule.