IBSS Project Completion & Handover Ceremony | Melo Koza Woreda

On December 25, 2025, a project completion and handover ceremony was held in Laha, marking the successful conclusion of the Enhancing Access to Integrated Basic Social Services (IBSS) Project for vulnerable households in Banka and surrounding kebeles of Melo Koza Woreda, Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia Region.

The IBSS Project has already completed all construction and rehabilitation works, and this event formally closed the project and handed over the improved water facilities for community use.

✅ Completed interventions include:
• Construction of 7 new water points
• Development of a 100,000 m³ water reservoir
• Installation of 14 km water pipeline
• Rehabilitation of 6 water points and a 50,000 m³ reservoir

The project is now providing clean and safe drinking water to more than 11,000 community members.

The project was implemented by the Ethiopian Catholic Church Apostolic Vicariate of Soddo, with financial support from the Government of the Czech Republic and Caritas Czech Republic, coordinated through the Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Commission Coordinating Office of Soddo (ECC-SDCO/S.)

The completion ceremony was honored by the presence of:
• Rev. Fr. Alemayehu W/Eyesus, Vicar Delegate of Soddo Vicariate
• Mr. Muluneh Tesfaye, Deputy Executive Director, Secretariat of the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops’ Conference
• Dr. Netsanet Demissie, Acting Executive Director of ECC-SDCO/S
• Senior officials from Melo Koza Woreda Administration and the South Ethiopia Regional Finance Bureau, along with community elders, religious leaders, and ECC-SDCO staff

🙏 With sincere thanks to the Government of the Czech Republic and Caritas Czech Republic. Their invaluable support strengthens access to safe water and basic social services, improving the well-being and resilience of local communities.

Local residents expressed great joy and appreciation, noting that the project will significantly reduce long-standing water shortages, improve public health, ease the burden on women and children, and enhance community resilience and livelihoods.

This initiative stands as a strong example of faith-based institutions working in partnership with international donors and local authorities to deliver sustainable, life-changing development for vulnerable communities.