18-12-2025 | di COOPI

Ethiopia. Cash assistance: more than just money

War has severe consequences on livelihoods, often with long-term effects, damaging infrastructure, agricultural resources, and markets, and worsening food insecurity and displacement. In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, these dynamics have had a significant impact.

To empower vulnerable communities and allow them to meet their critical needs, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale included the distribution of multipurpose cash assistance as part of the project “Integrated multi-sectoral emergency intervention, including the provision of multipurpose cash assistance, in response to the needs of vulnerable populations affected by the humanitarian crisis in Tigray”, funded by the Italian Cooperation.

Among the beneficiaries is Atsede Negash, 43, a mother of three children, who lives in the kebele of Gendebeta, in Adwa woreda. After losing her husband during the war, she found herself having to support her family alone, facing considerable financial hardship.

Thanks to a contribution of 9,200 ETB received through the project, Atsede bought cereals and chickens, which she later sold to generate income to buy groceries and other essential household items.

After losing my husband, I was struggling to make ends meet, but thanks to COOPI’s assistance I was able to provide food for my children. I now have confidence and hope that I can improve their well-being. Thank you, COOPI, for giving me this hope.

Her story shows how a single form of assistance can have a significant impact that goes beyond immediate relief. Cash assistance not only helps meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable households but also contributes to the restoration of livelihoods and the strengthening of economic autonomy. By allowing families to use resources according to their own priorities and circumstances, this support enhances their ability to plan for the future and paves the way for more stable and dignified prospects in the long term.

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COOPI has been present in Ethiopia since 1995, providing development and humanitarian assistance to support the most vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced persons due to conflicts and natural hazards through a multisectoral and integrated approach. To date, COOPI has reached over 10,000,000 direct beneficiaries through the implementation of 164 projects in the country.

Cover image credit: Coralie Maneri