RPP project (strengthening community resilience and social protection for vulnerable populations under the strengthening food security and WASH services project)

June marked a significant milestone for the RPP Project (Resilience and Social Protection for Vulnerable Populations), implemented under the broader “Strengthening Food Security and WASH Services” initiative in Soddo. A key achievement during this period was the successful completion of the second round of unconditional cash transfers to vulnerable households. This round built upon the groundwork laid during the first distribution in May and represents the second of three planned rounds designed to enhance household resilience and meet immediate food security and livelihood needs.

In this phase, a total of 570 project participants across six woredas—Dugna Fango, Kindo Koyisha, Offa, Deremalo, Zala, and Kamba—benefited from the cash assistance. The distributions took place in six selected kebeles: Shamala, Debochi Bana, Mundena, Busha, Fanjo Bijo, and Demoa. This effort reached 479 women and 91 men, reinforcing the project’s strong focus on supporting female-headed households and other at-risk groups.

Each household received 9,000 ETB, resulting in a total distribution of 5,130,000 ETB during this round. The largest allocations were made in the kebeles of Mundena, Busha, and Fanjo Bijo, each supporting 125 households. Smaller but equally impactful distributions were carried out in Shamala, Debochi Bana, and Demoa, each reaching 65 households. The cash transfers were designed to be timely and flexible, allowing recipients to address urgent food, health, and livelihood needs as they see fit, while also stimulating local markets.

This successful implementation reflects the strong coordination between field teams, local authorities, and community leaders. As we prepare for the third and final round of distribution, the RPP project continues to reinforce its commitment to building long-term resilience through social protection interventions tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations. Community feedback collected during the process will help shape future improvements and ensure that support reaches those who need it most, with dignity and transparency.