Organization For Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) 946 views

Organization for Welfare and Development in Action (OWDA) was established in December 1999 to help provide humanitarian assistance to 1999/2000 drought affected population in the region. OWDA started its operation by providing relief program aimed at supporting most affected needy people, however, the organization reshaped its strategic focus on application for development program intended to strengthen local capacity to bring about durable solution for the marginalized pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in Somali region of Ethiopia. In line with Charities Association’s Proclamation No. 0621/2009, the organization was registered by the Charities and Societies Agency (CSA) as Ethiopian Residents Charity in 2012 with the registration No. 0421 and recently renewed it for three years until 2021.

OWDA is an active national humanitarian organization dedicated to bring sustainable human development in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Through its cooperation with key actors, OWDA feeds, equip and guides the attitude of the community with awareness creation campaigns. OWDA places special emphasis on investing and building the resilience of vulnerable pastoral and agro pastoral communities to help them survive with natural and made shocks.  The organizational age, geographical reach and local knowledge made it possible to gain outstanding experience to deliver effective, appropriate and timely responses to target communities. Over its life span, the organization has grown substantially in the number of projects implemented, districts covered, staff numbers and budgets managed. OWDA is operational in eight of the eleven zones in Somali Region, namely: Fafan, Siti, Dollo, Shabele, Jarar, Dawa, Liban and Korahai zones. Since its establishment, the organization through its work in emergency and development interventions has supported millions of the region’s population, saving lives and providing opportunities for improved livelihoods. Also it has achieved great development in its organizational capacity and management of programs.