
ADDIS ABABA — The Government of Sweden has pledged over7 .8 million USD to support UNICEF’s initiative, “Strengthened Resilience and Livelihoods: Making Social Protection Work for Women and Children,” aimed at enhancing social protection systems for vulnerable families across Ethiopia.
According to a press release from the Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia, the funding will bolster efforts to empower women and children living in poverty while helping the Ethiopian government assume increased responsibility for social protection in the long term.
“This investment is not only about addressing immediate needs,” said Ambassador Hans Henric Lundquist, Sweden’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, and Permanent Representative to the AU, IGAD, and UNECA. “It is about supporting Ethiopia’s efforts to build resilient systems that safeguard its population, especially the most vulnerable.”
The program integrates Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) with humanitarian cash transfers and child grants, enhanced through the Cash Plus approach. This model combines cash assistance with vital social services-nutrition, healthcare, education, and child protection-to holistically improve the well-being of children and their families.
In addition to direct support, the initiative will expand economic opportunities and skills development, particularly through partnerships with the private sector. It also aims to strengthen policy frameworks, institutional capacities, and data systems to promote long-term, evidence-based decision-making in social protection.
Aboubacar Kampo (PhD), UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, hailed the partnership as transformative:
“UNICEF is deeply grateful to the Government of Sweden for this generous contribution. This partnership addresses the root causes of deprivation, empowering families to break cycles of vulnerability. We are not just meeting urgent needs—we are helping transform systems to ensure every child in Ethiopia can thrive with dignity and opportunity.”
The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony held on Monday in Addis Ababa, attended by Ambassador Lundquist and Aboubacar .
The program is expected to benefit 34,650 households, positively impacting approximately 173,250 individuals. By improving access to social services, expanding economic opportunities, and enhancing safety nets, the initiative aims to strengthen communities’ resilience to economic and environmental shocks.
With many Ethiopians facing persistent poverty, vulnerability, and overlapping crises, building a robust and inclusive social protection system is seen as vital. This program seeks to address both monetary and multidimensional poverty, offering immediate relief while equipping families with the tools to withstand future challenges.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2025