What Oxfam is Doing
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BUILDING PEACE IN ETHIOPIA
Conflicts over political power and access to land and water are present in virtually every part of Ethiopia. The availability of small arms in the region only serves to exacerbate the situation.
In addition to providing basic emergency assistance in areas affected by armed violence, Oxfam America also focuses on helping communities forge lasting solutions to conflict. Our partners use innovative conflict-resolution projects that bring adversaries together, as well as more traditional conflict-resolution practices when they are more suitable or culturally appropriate. Human rights training sessions and peace committees also help build confidence between adversaries and resolve disputes.
Case in point: decreasing future violence in Gambella, Ethiopia
In December 2003, the Ommingah neighborhood in the Gambella region was nearly reduced to rubble in a vicious attack. Even as the conflict raged, Oxfam was on the scene providing emergency assistance. To reduce the risk of future violence in the region, Oxfam partnered with the Gambella Peace and Development Council (GPDC) to build peace between the various ethnic groups involved in the conflict. GPDC organized community workshops to strengthen lines of communication among all the ethnic groups living in Gambella.