Strengthening Access to Nutrition Services for Vulnerable Communities in Six Woredas of West Wollega

Improved access to and utilization of quality nutrition services for 55,750young children and their families in 6 woredas. IYCF-E practices are promoted to improve survival of children aged 0-23 months.

West Wollega Zone, located in Oromia Regional State, faces critical health and nutrition challenges, exacerbated by ongoing conflict since 2010 E.C. The zone, with a population of over 2 million across 542 kebeles, has seen widespread displacement due to violence along the Benishangul-Gumuz border, affecting nearly all woredas. Internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities, and children are the most affected, with disrupted access to essential services. Conflict has damaged 110 health posts and 185 partially destroyed, alongside the loss of ambulances, medical supplies, and cold chain equipment, severely limiting service delivery. children are disproportionately impacted by poor access to nutrition and health services. Only 36% of health centers are reporting SAM cases due to a lack of equipment and trained personnel. 62% of health posts offer regular OTP services, with most lacking nutrition supplies. Barriers include high staff turnover, displaced health workers poor infras

The proposed project activities will address the nutrition gaps in West Wollega Zone through an integrated approach aligned with the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the Nutrition Clusters, and the Oromia Regional Health Bureau. The programme will support the nutrition services in the most affected woredas by supporting the rehabilitation of damaged health facilities, community outreach activities and improving supply chain logistics. . HRO will strengthen community- and facility-based nutrition screening in targeted Woredas to enable early detection and referral of acute malnutrition cases among children and PLWs. . Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and Iron/Folic Acid distribution with screening activities. . Critical treatment services include Stabilization Centers (SC) for 669 children with SAM and medical complications, OTP for 6,690 children with uncomplication and IYCF support for 43,050 pregnant/lactating women and caregivers.

HRO will ensure effective oversight and monitoring through a combination of field visits, structured reporting, and community engagement. Project staff will conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation progress, identify challenges, and provide necessary support. HRO will utilize real-time monitoring systems to inform decision-making processes. A structured reporting system will be in place, requiring weekly and monthly reports from field teams to track progress, highlight challenges, and document corrective actions. Community feedback mechanisms, such as meetings, suggestion boxes, and hotlines, will be established to gather insights from beneficiaries, including children with disabilities and caregivers. To maintain accountability and measure impact, periodic internal/external audits and terminal evaluations be conducted, ensuring the project meets its intended objectives effectively.

The proposed project activities will be implemented through collaboration with key partners to ensure comprehensive and coordinated service delivery in West Wollega Zone. Government offices, including the Oromia Regional Health Bureau and West Wollega Zonal Health Office, will provide technical oversight and policy alignment, while Woreda Health Offices will facilitate community-level implementation. UN agencies such as UNICEF, WFP and WHO will contribute food security support and technical guidance on nutrition and health services. Local and international NGOs implementing partners in the proposed woredas will bring expertise in community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) and mobilization efforts, complemented by community-based organizations for grassroots engagement. The private sectors and suppliers will support supply chain management for nutrition and medical supplies.

The project aims to significantly improve nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations in West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region, by strengthening access to life-saving nutrition services. It targets 55,750 children under five and 43,050 pregnant and lactating women, providing critical interventions such as malnutrition screening, treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), micronutrient supplementation, and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) support. By rehabilitating health facilities, training health workers, and ensuring supply chain efficiency, the project will enhance service delivery and resilience in crisis-affected communities.

The project aims to strengthen systemic resilience by empowering marginalized groups and promoting locally owned solutions that support sustained improvements in health and nutrition outcomes. At the project's commencement, HRO will engage stakeholders to communicate planned activities, ensuring transparency and managing expectations. The project is designed with sustainability in mind, enabling communities to maintain access to basic nutrition services beyond the intervention period focusing on financial, institutional, and social sustainability.