Relief and Sustainable Development Organization (RESDO)
Relief and Sustainable Organization (RESDO) is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit and non-partisan, community-centred Ethiopian national NGO operating in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, based in Jig-jiga.
It was established by a diverse group of professionals with extensive experience in grassroot community engagement, determined to reduce development disparities between underserved pastoral communities, women and children (particularly girls in remote and emerging districts) and better served urban or central districts.
Serving undeserved communities
RESDO's founders recognised that differences in access to services were ostracising remote and peripheral communities, especially pastoralists, women and children. Children in underserved pastoral communities lag behind in school enrolment, attendance, performance and progression to higher education, and they often sit at the bottom of the ladder in terms of gender balance.
Access to services and resources is often out of reach for them. RESDO was created to help close this gap and ensure that these communities have a voice and access to opportunities.
Better Migration Management (BMM) Project
RESDO has put in place the Better Migration Management Project (BMM) to support potential youth, both men and women, who have graduated from universities or colleges, as well as school dropouts in Jig-jiga, Wajjale, Kabri Beyah and Tuli-guled in the Fafan zone of Somali Regional State.
The project focuses on providing accurate information about migration and possible livelihood opportunities within the country, while equipping youth with life skills that enable them to make informed choices.
- Social life skills training on family planning, time management, savings, and job search.
- Linkages between communities in Kabri Beyah, Wajjale and Tuli-guled, and establishment of a taskforce to address local youth issues.
- School-level mini media to inform students about legal migration options.
- Drama on migration at school level to raise awareness.
- Multiple rounds of community conversation to support the reintegration of returnees.
Migration management impact
- Training of 120 graduate students to provide formal information about possible livelihood opportunities and job search support.
- Life skills training for 150 school dropout students.
- Establishment of mini media at school level to inform students about legal migration options and safe pathways.
- Production and performance of migration-themed drama at school level.
- Community conversations to support returnees' reintegration into their societies.
Quality Education Extension Project (Q.E.E.P)
RESDO works to improve the quality of education by supporting schools to address gaps in learning resources and pedagogy. The Quality Education Extension Project (Q.E.E.P) aims to improve the quality of education in primary schools by increasing school effectiveness.
The project has benefitted 990 children (523 boys and 467 girls) from remote communities, enabling them to access books and learning materials that were previously unavailable.
Strengthening school resources
- Establishment of a library at Haji Yonis School.
- Purchase of 80 chairs, 20 tables and two bookshelves for the library.
- Supply of 125 guide books and reading materials.
- Establishment of a pedagogy centre at Haji Yonis School.
- Training of 25 teachers on the use of the pedagogy centre and new teaching approaches.
Working with trusted development and humanitarian actors
RESDO works with UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and multilateral and bilateral development partners to deliver sustainable impact.
