Misereor Marks Major Success in Addressing Water Crisis in Emdibir, Ethiopia

By Habtamu Abrdew Beture

Emdibir, Ethiopia: In a significant boost to regional water security, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Ethiopia’s Country Representative, Ato. Zemede Zewdie, joined local officials and church leaders this week to celebrate the inauguration of a transformative large-scale water project.

The project, implemented by the Emdeber Catholic Secretariat (EMCS) and funded by Misereor, represents a major milestone in addressing chronic water scarcity in the area.

The newly commissioned system leverages a high-yield natural spring, utilizing a solar-powered pumping mechanism to ensure long-term environmental and financial sustainability. According to Ao Zemede key features of the infrastructure include providing clean, reliable water to households across the region. 250m³ Reservoir: A massive storage capacity to ensure consistent supply during peak demand. 32 Water Points: Strategically located distribution centers to reduce travel time for residents, particularly women and children.

Ato Zemeda stated that the inauguration marks the second major water milestone for the Emdeber community in just three months. It follows the successful launch of a separate water project in October, which was directly supported by CRS.

During the ceremony, His Excellency Most Reverend Lukas, Bishop of the Eparchy of Emdibir, alongside regional and local government authorities, expressed profound gratitude to the international donor community. The Bishop highlighted the collaborative spirit between Misereor, CRS, and other Caritas partners, noting that these combined efforts are successfully tackling the community’s most "critical water needs."