Wako Gutu Foundation (WGF):- is a local NGO founded and funded initially by local community and Diasporas from the pastoralist areas in memory of General Wako Gutu “a peace and pastoralist justice crusader” well supported by all pastoralist communities (Oromo and Somali) in the area. Wako Gutu Foundation is the only humanitarian organization which is operating in this area considered hot-spot by
UNOCHA to facilitate the development gaps which would change the life of the Pastoralist and Agro-pastoralist communities. WGF has been active in the proposed target areas since 2006 and has been implementing different community development activities with active participation of the community and government bodies. The organization has firsthand experience in working with pastoral community and has developed proven experiences in changing the lives of pastoral and agro-pastoralist communities through different cost effective and innovative approaches in solving critical communities’ problems. WGF easily managed to access communities in the remote areas that used to be hardly reached by other development agencies due to its locations. Oromia Regional states and communities with families of General Wako Gutu have raised a seed funding on Bazaar organized at Bale Robe with the presence of the then Oromia Regional state president Aba Dulla Gemmeda in 2006. WGF received funding from an International NGOs like PATH for “ strengthening community response to HIV/AIDS which is financed by USAID, Pastoralist water and sanitation project ,funded by American Relief Agency(ARAHA) ,Pastoralist emergency feeding project co-funded by Almaktoum foundation (UAE), ARAHA and LifeUSA, Orphans and Vulnerable children support project funded by Global fund through Oromia Health Bureau ,community emergency feeding financed by Oromia Regional state office of the president Women headed household dairy goat project co-funded by American Relief Agency and LifeUSA Emergency Food aid distribution funded by ARAHA. Emergency Relief project supported by PADet through London group.WGF also signed a memorandum of understanding with GRET a French professional solidarity group to benefit from its professional backstopping services.
