HelpAge-Ethiopia

25/12/2025

As part of the Strengthening Civil Society for Older People’s Rights and Engagement #(SCORE) project, we are investing in what matters most: positioning our organization as a strong, nationally led organization that can effectively address the rights and needs of older people and other vulnerable groups.
This week, with the support of HelpAge International, we are conducting a 4-day Organizational Capacity Assessment to strengthen our newly registered entity at the national level and position it for greater and more sustainable impact. Through the SHAPE assessment tool, we are conducting a thorough and candid review of our systems, structures, and practices to identify priority areas for growth and long-term institutional development.
This process is a critical step in enhancing our ability to advocate for, represent, and respond to the needs and rights of older people, while also addressing the challenges faced by other vulnerable community groups. By building a resilient, accountable, and locally driven organization today, we are laying the foundation for stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable interventions in the future.
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24/12/2025

ኑ ለአርስጋዊያን እንሩጥ!!!
ታህሳስ 26/2018 በድሬደዋ ባቡር ጣቢያ እንገናኝ
ዳዊት አረጋዊያን የበጎ አድራጎት ማህበር ባዘጋጀው እሩጫ ላይ በመሳተፍ ድጋፍ ለሚፈልጉ አረጋዊያን አጋር እንሁን!

18/12/2025

As part of the Project, HelpAge Ethiopia is proud to support the integration of the WHO Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach with Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) services in Ethiopia.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health, we supported the opening of geriatric one-stop service units at three major specialized hospitals:
Hospital
Kotebe General Hospital
Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Hospital

Through this collaboration, HelpAge Ethiopia provided essential medical equipment to strengthen these geriatric one-stop units, improving access to integrated, person-centered healthcare for older people.

This milestone reflects Ethiopia’s growing commitment to the Healthy Ageing Strategy and highlights the strong leadership of the Ministry of Health and the Healthy Ageing Technical Working Group in advancing integrated geriatric care within the national health system.

We sincerely thank HelpAge International for the support that made this achievement possible. Together, we are working to promote dignity, independence, and well-being for older persons and to build sustainable geriatric care services across the country.

, we are shaping a healthier future for older people in Ethiopia.

15/12/2025

Community Voices for Universal Health Coverage in Adama
We successfully held a four-day Universal Health Coverage (UHC) advocacy training in Adama with our partners, the Older People’s Association, and community-based organizations. The training focused on strengthening advocacy skills and improving understanding of how to promote fair and inclusive access to health services.

During the sessions, participants shared experiences and learned practical ways to raise awareness, engage communities, and speak up for the health needs of older people and other vulnerable groups.

Alongside the training, we also celebrated Universal Health Coverage Day. This was a meaningful moment to remind ourselves that quality and affordable healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and that everyone deserves access without hardship.

Together, we are building stronger community voices and working toward a future where no one is left behind.

11/12/2025

Did you know? Older people are the age group most at risk of catastrophic health costs.

On , we call for [insert your government] to guarantee the right to health for everyone !

04/12/2025

Healthy Ageing in Ethiopia -Together for Dignity and Inclusion

HelpAge Ethiopia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and key technical partners, successfully held a national consultative and sensitization workshop in Adama City. The workshop focused on validating Ethiopia’s National Healthy Ageing Strategy (2026 to 2030), advancing the WHO ICOPE framework, and integrating NCD prevention and management into health services.

The session brought together representatives from federal hospitals, regional health bureaus, Ministry of Health leadership, technical working groups, and community organizations. It also served as an important awareness-building platform, enabling hospitals and health institutions to strengthen their understanding of healthy ageing and to ensure that the needs of older people are reflected in their future plans and strategies.

Participants worked collectively to explore the realities, challenges, and opportunities of healthy ageing in Ethiopia. They:
🔹 Reflected on advocacy efforts and demographic changes
🔹 Shared feedback to strengthen the National Healthy Ageing Strategy
🔹 Highlighted the importance of disability inclusion
🔹 Deepened their understanding of ICOPE implementation
🔹 Discussed ways to integrate NCD services across all levels of care
🔹 Shared experiences and practical solutions to improve the wellbeing of older adults

This workshop created a powerful space for collaboration and renewed commitment.
older person in Ethiopia deserves accessible, dignified, and person-centered care.

02/12/2025

for Invisible Survivors: A Call to Action on GBV and Inclusion!
Today, as part of the 16 Days of Activism, we hosted a crucial advocacy event in Addis Ababa focused on ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against older women and women with disabilities, including the rising threat of digital violence.
The workshop, held at the Best Western Hotel, brought together government, NGOs, older people’s associations, organizations of persons with disabilities, academia, and media to shine a light on this often-invisible crisis.
Key Messages
🗣️ "Inclusion is not optional. Ending GBV requires age-, gender-, and disability-sensitive action," said Emma, Protection Cluster Coordinator.
🗣️ "Protection must be accessible to all older people and persons with disabilities, online and offline. No barrier should stand between a survivor and justice," noted Lian, Inter-Agency PSEA Coordinator.
The Urgent Need for Data and Inclusion
• Mr. Tewodros, Executive Director of HelpAge Ethiopia, strongly called for the meaningful inclusion of older women and women with disabilities in GBV research, programming, and policy making. He stressed the vital importance of collecting age and disability disaggregated data to truly improve our response mechanisms.
• Mr. Abadi, Country Director of the Finnish Refugee Council, highlighted the alarming but frequently unreported cases of GBV in conflict-affected and refugee settings, particularly impacting older women and women with disabilities.
The event featured powerful live testimonials from survivors, which revealed the heartbreaking reality that violence often comes from the hands of close family members. Research from Addis Ababa University further shows the critical gaps in the current response system.
We must ensure that in the fight against GBV, no one is left unseen, unheard, or unprotected.
HelpAge Ethiopia expresses sincere appreciation to all partners, speakers, survivors, and participants for their commitment to this cause. Let’s turn advocacy into action!
Click 'Like' and 'Share' to spread this critical message!

24/11/2025

Older People a Voice and Dignity in Ethiopia

Mr. Cherian Mathews, CEO of HelpAge International, together with the Board of Trustees and the HelpAge Ethiopia delegation, recently visited Her Excellency Huriya Ali, State Minister for Women and Social Affairs.

During the meeting, they discussed the challenges older people face every day, including vulnerability to health problems, social isolation, and limited opportunities to participate in their communities. These are the very people who have built families, contributed to society, and shaped communities over decades, yet their voices often go unheard.

Mr. Cherian said clearly:
"We must ensure that older people are not just cared for, but are fully included, their rights protected, and their voices heard."

Her Excellency Huriya Ali recognized the significant impact of HelpAge in ensuring older people’s rights, dignity, and inclusion in Ethiopia. Together, they committed to strengthening programs, building capacity, and ensuring legal protections that empower older people. A memorandum of understanding will soon formalize this partnership, bringing us one step closer to a society where Ethiopia’s elders live with dignity, respect, and full participation.

older person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. Let’s continue working together to make that a reality.

24/11/2025

# Strengthening Support for Older People and Persons with Disabilities in Gambela
HelpAge International’s CEO, Cherian Mathews, together with Board of Trustees members Jacobus Retief and Rose Gahire, joined Tewodros Belachew, Executive Director of HelpAge Ethiopia, and Dereje H/Mariam, Head of the Humanitarian Program, on a visit to the Gambela Field Office and Jewi Refugee Camp.
Their presence reaffirmed a shared commitment to protecting the dignity and well-being of older persons, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable refugees and host communities. Community members shared both their hopes and the challenges they continue to face, especially in accessing essential services, mobility support, and sustainable livelihoods. The leadership team emphasized a renewed dedication to ensuring these voices are heard at national and global levels.
Recent discussions with Older People's Associations and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities have highlighted urgent concerns, including reduced food rations, limited access to assistive devices, transportation barriers during general food distribution, the absence of nutrition support, and inadequate shelter, NFI, healthcare, and WASH services. Social isolation, discrimination, and the lack of livelihood opportunities further deepen the vulnerability of older people and people with disabilities.
HelpAge’s work in Gambela remains a crucial lifeline. For the past 14 years, we have been supporting refugee and host communities through key interventions. The team has contributed to providing cash assistance, delivering assistive devices. These efforts ensure that older people and people with disabilities are not left behind in humanitarian response. RRS and UNHCR have expressed strong appreciation for the positive impact being achieved on the ground.
As we prepare to scale up engagement for the future, our priorities are clear: to expand access, strengthen inclusion, and champion the rights of those who are too often overlooked in crisis settings.
👉 Call to Action
We invite partners, donors, and supporters to stand with us. Your collaboration can help us reach more older people and persons with disabilities with the protection, mobility, support, and dignity they deserve. Together, we can drive meaningful and lasting changes in Gambela and beyond.
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23/11/2025

19/11/2025

19/11/2025

🎉 HelpAge Ethiopia Officially Launches as a Fully Local Organization
On Monday at Skylight Hotel, HelpAge Ethiopia celebrated a historic milestone, the official launch of its transition into a fully local entity, bringing us closer to the communities we serve. For more than three decades, HelpAge Ethiopia operated as the country office of HelpAge International, working tirelessly to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of older people across the country.
The event brought together HelpAge International leadership, including CEO Cherian Mathews and Board of Trustees members from HelpAge International and Age International, Honorable Huria Ali, State Minister of the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, representatives from INGOs, Media Houses, and UN agencies.
In his address, Cherian Mathews reaffirmed HelpAge’s commitment to shifting power, strengthening local leadership, and ensuring sustainable support that addresses community needs on the ground. He emphasized that HelpAge International will continue supporting network members as a learning hub, even for program design, technical support, and fundraising.
Honorable Huria Ali highlighted the importance of local leadership, stating:
"When local organizations lead and drive initiatives, they are better positioned to understand community realities and respond effectively. The transition of HelpAge Ethiopia embodies this principle and represents an important step in building a stronger national system of care and support for older people."
We extend our heartfelt thanks to HelpAge International leaders, partners, government representatives, and stakeholders for standing with us on this milestone. Together, we continue our journey to empower older people across Ethiopia.