Project HOPE Launches Landmark Health Security Initiative in Ethiopia
Project HOPE, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially launched the $27 million, five-year Health Security Activity (HSA) initiative aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s preparedness and response capacity against infectious disease threats.
“The Health Security Activity is a critical investment in Ethiopia’s future health resilience,” Dr. Ebba Abate, Project HOPE’s Chief of Party for HSA. “Through system-level improvements and strong local engagement, we are developing sustainable solutions to safeguard health and save lives.”
Ethiopia faces a rising burden of public health threats intensified by environmental changes, conflict, and cross-border movement. Anchored in a One Health approach, the HSA program strengthens coordination across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to tackle zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and emerging infections.
A launch event was held in Semera, in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, one of the project’s primary implementation areas. The occasion was marked by the presence of key dignitaries including the State Minister of Health, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, regional health authorities, USAID, implementing partners, and community stakeholders.
The program will focus efforts in the Amhara, Tigray, and Afar regions, with key interventions in:
- Enhancing Early Detection and Response: Building robust community surveillance systems and fostering multisectoral data sharing for timely identification and control of outbreaks.
- Strengthening AMR Diagnostic Capacity: Improving subnational laboratory infrastructure, specimen referral mechanisms, and antimicrobial resistance testing.
- Workforce Development: Investing in Ethiopia’s One Health workforce through partnerships with academic institutions, in-service training, and mentorship opportunities.
Led by Project HOPE, the Health Security Activity is implemented through a consortium of global and local partners including the CORE Group Partners Project, American Society for Microbiology, Tufts University, and local health organizations such as the Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association (EMLA), Ethiopian Public Health Laboratory Association (EPHLA), and Health Development and Anti-Malaria Association (HDAMA).
The USAID Health Security Activity represents a bold step forward inbuilding Ethiopia’s long-term resilience to health threats. Project HOPE its partners are committed to supporting Ethiopia in achieving long-term, integrated health security goals that protect both people and ecosystems.
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