About Us / Who we Are
our history
Dr. Dawit Zawde launched Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) in 1994 with several like-minded individuals, in response to the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide.
More than two decades later AHA continues to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance, development and advocacy services to refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities across Africa. To date more than 25 million people affected by crisis have benefited from the support of AHA, in 20 different countries: Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo (DR), Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea (Rep), Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Zambia.
Our work has seen us deliver multi-sectoral programs in diverse, difficult and sometimes dangerous situations. This experience, along with our physical, social and cultural proximity, knowledge and understanding of local context, has led us to play an ever increasing role in international advocacy. We have partaken in numerous forums and network meetings around the world, often participating as the only southern NGO.
Over the years we have built up many strong and effective partnerships and we continue to emphasize the importance of a common effort to prevent suffering and affect positive change for vulnerable communities. We continue to be UNHCR’s largest indigenous partner in Africa. In addition, we work closely with the African Union and many other humanitarian actors.
As we continue to grow and develop as an independent organisation, our focus remains on best serving the affected populations to whom we are ultimately accountable. Excellent communication, impartiality and transparency are key to the positive relationships which we have established with vulnerable populations and donors alike. We are proud to report that for the 25th consecutive year we have received a clean bill of health for our programs from our partners and auditors, attesting to our high standards and abilities.
Our long term plan for the future sees us developing strategies that provide sustainable responses to Africa’s changing needs. In this light AHA continues to work confidently in the belief that Africans have what it takes to effectively address the problems facing the continent – proximity, ownership, local knowledge and expertise.
vision
An African continent whose local institutions can empower and sustain its peoples and communities in human security, thereby promoting peaceful development and prosperity.
mission
AHA will, without distinction to the root causes of the needs:
- a) Respond to crises, conflicts and disasters in Africa with regard to refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, migrants, and their host communities; and make them better prepared to deal with their concerns themselves;
- b) Inform and advise the international community, governments, the civil society, and the private sector on humanitarian issues of concern to Africa; and promote collaboration among them accordingly.
- c) Support institutional and organisational development efforts within its own sphere of competence, prioritising countries where it operates or specifically has been solicited to do so.
- d) Study, explore and further develop its experiences and promote them to the benefit of other African organisations and civil society
what we do
Nutrition
Supplementary + blanket feeding, Therapeutic feeding
wash
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
healthcare
Preventive and curative health services, RH and HIV/AIDS, Mental health, TB and Malaria control
Livelihood
Farming, Skill training, Revolving fund (CBI), Income generating activity
Protection
Child protection, SGBV-Prevention & Response, Integration/re-integration
Food Security
General and emergency food distribution
Shelter
Emergency shelters Transitional shelters (Construction & rehabilitation) Infrastructure (construction & rehabilitation of Hospitals, Schools, Dams)
Logistics
Warehouse management and transportation
Leadership
The AHA Head Office is guided by a Secretariat headed by the President who works with an Executive Board – setting strategic priorities and monitoring and evaluating performance, standards, and results. The Board is appointed by AHA’s International Assembly of trustees, whose members determine AHA’s general policies and ensure quality and accountability to both affected populations and donors. The President, as a senior management is ultimately responsible for the implementation of all Assembly decisions and has supervisory role of AHA’s Country Offices and programmes.
The Executive Director appointed by the Board and with guidance from the President ensures the effective, efficient and economic running of the Head Office and its field organisation; and produce systems and procedures for its functioning. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management and implementation of decisions by the Assembly, the Board and the President.
Each of our field office is supported by a Country Office, which is backed by the Head Office team in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. The Country Offices have a direct implementation role of AHA’s programmes and services in their respective countries and monitoring/reporting functions.
Trustees
- Dr Salim Ahmed Salim - Chair
- Dr. Sheikh Al-Amoudi - Co-Chair
- Dr Dawit Zawde - Founder
- Mr Asrat Betru
- Ms. Aisha Sykes
- Dr Charles K. Kalumiya
- Mr. Chefeke Dessalegn
- Ms Clare Short
- Dr Costantinos Berhutesfa
- Mr. Donald Kaberuka
- Ms. Feben Yohannes
- Mrs. Guenet- Guebre Christos
- Amb. Irvin Hicks
- Dr. Jamilah Mahmoud
- Ms. Joyce Mends-Cole
- Mr. Mengesha Kebede
- Dr. Mohammed Dualeh
- Ms. Monica Juma
- Dr. Muctaru A.S. Jalloh
Executive board members
- Dr. Dawit Zawde (President)
- Mr. Asrat Betru (Treasurer)
- Dr. Charles K. Kalumiya (Legal Advisor)
- Mrs. Guenet- Guebre Christos (Programmes)
- Mr. Ibrahim Osman
- Mr. Misikir Tilahun (Secretary)
AHA Ambassadors
- Mr. Albert Alain Peters
- Mr. Arnolv Torbjornsen
- Dr. Getachew Demeke
- Mr. Getachew Kitaw
- Mr. Ibrahim Osman
- Mr. Mahary Maasho
- Mr. Nicolas Bwakira
- Mr. Nils Gussing
- Mr. Paul Adams
- Amb. Teferra Shiawl Kidanekal
- Mr. Yohannes Kifle
Our Approach
At the heart of AHA’s work is community based service provision, where assisted populations are both partners and beneficiaries of the services AHA delivers. AHA uses different approaches to build local capacity and implement its programmes. AHA works in partnership with donor communities towards the achievement of proper implementation of humanitarian programs and has gained trust and support from the beneficiary communities and donor communities. AHA adheres to the standards and regulations of donor agencies and establishes strong working relationships with the donor agencies, implementing partners, local authorities, and other governmental and non-government organizations/institutions in project areas.
AHA also endeavours to efficiently utilise scarce human, financial and material resources, and hence, in this respect, it introduces workable administrative and operational policies and procedures as well as bring together a small but strong work force that is efficient, committed, productive, focused, and result-oriented.
With more than two decades of experience as an international African NGO working in the field, AHA also plays an ever increasing role in international advocacy. AHA regularly attends international forum as the only southern based representative and play a crucial role in delivering an African voice to the international humanitarian sphere.
our impact
years in service
Countries
beneficiaries
testimonials
AHA helps me to reach communities in the countryside, who do not have access to health services and information. I feel that I am also a beneficiary of this work, myself. I have two children and am able to take good care of them and make decisions about my reproductive health
Ethiopian Community Based Reproduction Health Agent
Since I have made my first testimonies and due to sensitization from AHA’s workers, my neighbors have understood that we are persons like others and that with AIDS it is possible to live a positive life. I really thank AHA, they have added value to my life
Rwandan Refugee
Your organization did many good for we the sick refugees…So we cannot forget that at all. Thanks you, for your good work in Africa
Liberian Refugee
Download our Annual Reports
To know more about what we and what we have been doing, please check out our annual report
Offices
Ethiopia
info@africahumanitarian.org
+257 14 556 3006
+251 11 551 3541
+251 11 660 4800
USA
us@africahumanitarian.org
+1 14 556 3006