Disaster Risk Reduction for Education and Resilience in North Wollo Zone

PADet implemented a comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project across four drought-prone and hazard-vulnerable districts of the North Wollo Zone, funded by DANIDA through Save the Children.

Moving from reactive response to proactive preparedness

Implemented over three years (2014–2016), the initiative moved communities from reactive emergency response to proactive disaster preparedness. By strengthening local early warning systems, building institutional capacity for Disaster Risk Management (DRM), and fostering a culture of safety through education, PADet equipped vulnerable populations to anticipate, withstand, and recover from climate shocks.

Operating across the Amhara Region (Gidan, Gubalafto, Habru, and Kobo woredas), the project demonstrated PADet's commitment to mainstreaming DRR across all development programming and operating effectively across the humanitarian-development nexus.

  • Early Warning Systems
  • Institutional DRM Capacity
  • Education & Safety Culture
  • Livelihoods Resilience

Project Goal

To improve preparedness for disaster response and recovery, strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in disaster-prone areas of North Wollo Zone.

How this shows up in our programmes

1. Risk Identification & Monitoring

Conducted annual hazard assessments in four target woredas to identify threats, inform preparedness planning, mobilize resources, and strengthen early warning systems for timely community alerts.

2. Local Resilience & Response Capacity

Built community and local government capacity to prepare for and respond to hazards, mitigating underlying risks by mainstreaming DRR into wider food security and livelihoods programming.

3. Education, Innovation & Awareness

Used knowledge and education to build a culture of safety and resilience across all levels, improving the information base on climate change impacts and boosting local DRM institutional capacity.

4. Emergency Humanitarian Assistance

Engaged in short-term humanitarian relief—providing medical aid, water, shelter, and logistical support—when local coping capacities were exceeded, coordinated closely with local authorities.

5. Livelihoods Diversification

Supported the development of alternative, resilient livelihoods for at-risk populations to lower structural vulnerability and reduce long-term dependence on climate-sensitive activities.

6. Sector Leadership & Partnerships

Maintained active membership in the CCRDA Food Security Forum, sharing experiences and knowledge to contribute to national DRR discourse and sector-wide organizational learning.