Haramaya University has Supported 50 needy households in Haramaya Woreda Local Communities by giving 100 sheep worth more than 300,000 birr at Dengego Biftu Geda village, on December, 23, 2021.

While the support was done through Haramaya University Dengego Tree Based Rehabilitation Project, each household has received 2 sheep. Dr. Tesema Toru, Coordinator of Dengego Tree Based Rehabilitation Project at Haramaya University, said that the University is working to rehabilitate Dangego mountain degraded land with the project; however, planting trees is not enough to solve the problem of deforestation, but more effort is needed and one of the tasks to be done is to address the economic crisis that is causing the degradation of the mountain because strong economic base would enable them to use alternative energy sources to prevent deforestation and that is why Haramaya University makes such supports to the community. Dr. Tesema also said that the University will give five cows to some members of the community in the near future.

Indicating that environmental works are one of the activities of the University, Dr. Yisihak Yusuf, Vice President for Community Service and Enterprise Development, in his turn, said that the University has supported the local needy households, especially women with livestock as it is important to increase their income so that they can maintain land fertility. Finally, Dr. Yisihak said the ongoing environmental and natural resource conservation activities should be strengthened.

Hawa Mohammed, a resident of Biftu Geda village in Haramaya woreda, said that due to the ongoing natural resource conservation work in the area, she has been able to get spring water nearby. Similarly, Ibrahim Abdulle, another resident of the village, said that they are working to prevent soil erosion as soil is important for their survival. And they have expressed their pleased to Haramaya University for all its supports.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Photograph: Fuad Ahmed