Spanish Delegation in Tigray, Ethiopia (February 4-13, 2025)

Spanish Delegation in Tigray, Ethiopia (February 4-13, 2025)

A team of visitors from EGOAIZIA , eLankidetza , and Deusto Univeristy  visited  Mekelle and project areas in  Tigray, Ethiopia, from February 4-14, 2025. The delegation included:

  • Noemí de la Fuente (Head of Strategic Coordination at eLankidetza, Basque Government )
  • Ana Tellería  (technician officer at eLankidetza Basque Government )
  • Fernando Almansa (Independent Humanitarian Advisor)
  • Lierni Fernández  (Project Manager, EGOAIZIA)
  • Marisabel  Albizu (Co-founder, EGOAIZIA)
  • Professor Cristina Churruca  (Professor, Senior Researcher at the Human Rights Institute of the University of Deusto and Coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programme in International Humanitarian Action (NOHA+)
  • Iñaki  ( Filming Expert, LuzNorteFilms)
  • Samuel  ( Filming Expert)

Key Activities Conducted

1. Critical Review and Improvement of 4YBIN’s Revised Humanitarian Strategic Plan (2024-2026)

  • Date: February 5-6, 2025
  • Facilitator: Fernando Almansa (Independent Humanitarian Advisor)
  • Participants: 4YBIN Ethiopia staff, board members, and volunteers
  • Objective: Strengthen and refine 4YBIN’s strategic approach to humanitarian action.

2. Training on Essentials for Humanitarian Action

  • Date :  February  7-10, 2025
  • Participants: 50 attendees from local NGOs, 4YBIN, and Mekelle University staff
  • Training: Core principles and best practices in humanitarian response to enhance local capacities.

3. Establishment of the Center for Humanitarian Studies – Tgiray (CHS-T)

  • The Center for Humanitarian Studies was officially established within Mekelle University through a partnership between 4YBIN and EGOAIZIA, funded by eLankidetza.
  • The center aims to provide formal training, research, and advocacy in humanitarian action.

4. Filming with War-Affected Women

  • Filming experts Iñaki and Samuel documented the stories of women affected by war, shedding light on their experiences and resilience.

5. Bilateral Discussions with Key Stakeholders

    Meetings were conducted with:

  • Senior staff of Mekelle University
  • ACSOT and HINGO representatives
  • Technical working group and steering committee of CHS-TDiscussions focused on strengthening collaboration in humanitarian training and research.

6. Field Visit to Humanitarian Interventions

The delegation observed several key humanitarian aid activities, including:

  • Farm hand tool distribution for 300 farmers
  • Improved maize seed distribution for 250 farmers
  • Goat distribution for 100 women
  • FAMIX distribution for 600 children under 5 years old in Woreda Tsirae Womberta
  • Coffee ceremony funded by eLankidetza as part of a healing strategy for trauma recovery

The visit was instrumental in advancing humanitarian efforts in Tigray. It facilitated capacity-building, strategic planning, and resource distribution while reinforcing partnerships between international and local stakeholders.