Integrated multi-sector assistance to support return process in Sibu Sire Woreda, East Wolega Zone, Oromia Region. ltpgtltbrgtIn 2023, the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) targets 20.1 million people in need of assistance, with over two-thirds being women and children. Western Oromia faces instability due to conflict and insecurity, posing barriers for humanitarian and development access. Most of Ethiopia's population resides in rural areas, reliant on agriculture. High displacement rates and infrastructure damage expose the population to protection risks, with healthcare access challenges for people on the move.ltbrgtAn OCHA assessment from August 2023 reveals over 860,000 IDPs in eight Western Oromia zones, with 725,000 in four Wollega Zones. Notably, more than 110,000 IDPs have returned to 11 woredas in East Wollega Zone.ltbrgtTo validate these findings, FIDO conducted a comprehensive rapid needs assessment in Sibu Sire. The assessment identified that Sibu Sire is currently hosting a significant population of 25,937 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 18,739 returnees, including 4,407 children under 5 and 1,183 pregnant or lactating women. The assessment underscored pressing needs: over 20,265 individuals urgently require Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items (ESNFI), while 17,500 people are in need of critical Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) support. Furthermore, 624 women of childbearing age are in need of dignity kits, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific assistance. Education gaps were pronounced, with 36% of school-aged children out of school, including 521 students who have dropped out (comprising 250 boys and 271 girls). Health facilities in the area have suffered severe damage, with only 2 providing Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) services, 1 offering Supplementary Feeding Program (SC) services, and no Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program (TSP). The assessment also identified 49 water schemes in need of rehabilitation, including 5 non-functional springs in close proximity to the returnees. Vulnerable groups, including women, girls, boys, and people with disabilities, are in urgent need of protection measures. Key priorities encompass addressing health, nutrition, education, protection, livelihoods, and WASH needs. It's crucial to note that currently, there are no partners providing support to IDP returnees in the target woreda. Overall, the assessment highlights the immediate need for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response to save lives, followed by sustainable reintegration efforts for IDP returnees in Sibu Sire Woreda.ltbrgtFIDO and Dorcas AID (DAE) propose an integrated project addressing education (10%), nutrition (10%), WASH (21%), health (25%), protection (14%), and agriculture (20%). The project aims to assist 119,435 conflict-affected individuals, with a grant of $1,000,000 USD, including all returnees in Bako Jima Kebele. FIDO will oversee implementation, monitoring, reporting, and directly implement education, nutrition, WASH, health, and protection, including safeguarding and accountability. DAE will handle agriculture, with AAP, gender, and protection integrated across all sectors. Government offices and the community will actively participate in whole project cycle.ltbrgtIn general, FIDO and DAE staff in Sibu Sire woreda will monitor the day-to-day implementation of project in line with the agreed work plan. Zone and woreda government line offices will actively engage at all stages of project implementation, signing of project agreement, undertaking the implementation of the proposed activities, monitoring and evaluation. Finally, FIDO and its partner are active participant of both national and sub-national cluster’s coordination platform and will continue our engagement to prevent overlap and further engage with the development and peace actors in the area to ensure the coordination to make a sustainable impact while preventing overlap and duplication of effort.ltbrgtlt/pgt