Our Approach

International partnership - The name Global Poverty Action encapsulates our approach to poverty eradication – we facilitate transformative partnerships between people in the rich world and those who survive on less than a dollar a day in a particularly vulnerable region of Ethiopia.

Experience tells us that a genuine feeling of ownership from those impacted by a GPA water project is key to long-term success. From initial forums that produce consensus around project design to construction and ongoing administration by the village water committee, GPA projects are truly driven by the initiative and needs of the host communities.

Regional Focus - GPA focuses on the least-serviced region of Ethiopia, the Liban Zone, which consistently has had the least access to clean water sources. This makes our work both particularly difficult and vital. The vision is to provide the technical assistance, tools, training, and market access necessary for residents of the Liban Zone to take charge of their future and break the cycle of poverty and suffering.

Locally Administered by Locals – Global Poverty Action is a product of the Liban Zone and as an organization, is able to leverage its intimate ties to local communities and government to affect change in one of the most difficult operating environments in the world. GPA projects are administered from our local office in Moyale, the largest settlement in the Liban Zone and the center of regional trade. Our Field Officer, himself a resident of the Liben Zone, organizes local communities in advance of future projects, facilitates training in water resource maintenance, and acts as an advocate with the local and regional government. He follows up on functioning projects, measuring performance and insuring that the local water committee has the training and resources necessary for ongoing maintenance.

Long-term Outlook – These days, “sustainability” is one of those buzzwords diluted by overuse. But for the people of the Liban Zone, sustainability is the one indispensable feature of any effort to substantially improve their lives. Global Poverty Action builds the water resources that communities demand and that they are capable of maintaining indefinitely with their own resources. When construction is finished and the community is organized and trained to use the new water supply, it becomes the community's property and responsibility.

Finally, the goal of our projects is not to save lives, though that is surely a necessary consequence. As the name of our organization suggests, we think of water and sanitation as the prime lever for ending poverty in the Liban Zone of southern Ethiopia.

“You are the first international organization that has asked us for our recommendations.”
Ibriham Hassan, Moyale District Commissioner

WATER

 The Dawa River in the Liban Zone is identified as one of the country's biggest untapped water resources

The central problem that inflames all other human suffering issues in this area is the lack of water. Water scarcity in an arid landscape was compounded by colonials drawing borders that cut off traditional water and grazing sites. Global warming has doubled the rate of drought. 

What does this mean? People, mainly women, have to walk up to three days and nights to get water that is contaminated. Many die before they get there. Animals and humans stand in and drink from the same water source. They have no choice. Because all people are working to get water to survive, there is no time or resources for health, education, or economic development. People work so they can survive the day and there is no way out of the cycle of poverty.

When there is rain there is a good amount, but there are few sites to catch it. There are three sources of water: catchments (ponds, dams), wells, and the Dawa River. Catchments can take up to 7 years to dig with a stick, most wells were not functional, and the river is up to 100 feet down. One quarter of hauled water is wasted. One problem we saw was where there were attempts to create water sources was not enough upfront planning, engineering, and construction materials were utilized to create this "environment", typically resulting in failure. Dam sites, water catchments, boreholes were more likely than not - a failure. Long-term commitment to the region was clearly missing. 

 
What does this mean to a person?

Khadija Ibriham Abey’s experience with water

She used to walk 4 full days to get water walking next to a camel loaded with wood jugs. There could be wild animals and other perils along the way. At times when the water has almost dried up, people compete for the last drops. Families of 6-8 will have to survive on the equivalent of two muddy glasses of water a day until the pond dries completely. There is no washing or bathing until there is rain. The only way to clean an infant’s clothes is with a piece of wood, let it dry, and then shake it out. The clothes are worn until they disintegrate.

Amina Ali's experience with water in Ethiopia
	She lived in Chelako, and when the water dried up in their hand dug well, they had to walk to the Dawa River, 4 days round trip, to get water. She took camels because donkeys would not make it. While she was gone children, the elderly, and animals died because they were too weak.

	Digging a pond by hand with sticks and burlap bags left over from famine aid. Hand dug ponds take 7 years to complete and many people will die of thirst in the process.
	Hand-dug pond in Dhibu Qordobo, Ethiopia that has dried out half way through the dry season because it was not properly constructed.
	Men on the road in Gamooji, Ethiopia look for water to fill their jugs.
	Men, women, and children water their animals with contaminated water in Eymole, Kenya after many days of walking. The people will drink the same water as the animals.