In South Sudan, the political, economic, security and humanitarian situation has recently further deteriorated, with security reaching its lowest point since 2018. Renewed clashes between government and opposition forces have escalated violence, putting countless lives at risk. The country has already endured decades of famine, conflict and flooding, and ZOA Dorcas, along with local partners, continues to provide critical support to communities in need in the face of these ongoing challenges. 

Additional pressing issues in South Sudan include: 

Our work in South Sudan 

Dorcas has been present in South Sudan since 2008 and since 2022, we work in partnership with ZOA, forming the ZOA Dorcas South Sudan consortium. ZOA Dorcas supports communities affected by conflict and natural disasters, focusing on sustainable livelihoods for marginalised groups in hard-to-reach areas. Our aim is to reduce the risks associated with conflict, lack of resources and extreme climatic events. 

With a long-term presence and strong local partnerships, we’re well positioned to support those in need. Recent impactful projects include a dyke project to prevent flooding, reclaim farmland, and resettle displaced families, and the installation of tubewells in areas affected by drought to improve access to water. 

Find out more about our work in South Sudan.

Ahmed, a 20-year-old young man from Abosto Kebele in Shashamene Town, Ethiopia, faced significant challenges early in life. He dropped out of school due to financial difficulties and moved to Addis Ababa in search of work. He found a job as a waiter in a café, where he worked for five months. Despite his efforts, his meagre income was not enough to cover basic living expenses such as rent, food and clothing. Struggling to make ends meet, he returned to his family in Shashamene.

Discovering the SHINES project

Fortunately, while in Shashamene, Ahmed came across information about Dorcas Ethiopia’s SHINES project, which offered vocational training to unemployed youth. Ahmed was selected as one of 670 participants for a five-day training session. The training, facilitated by experts from DOT Ethiopia, covered key areas such as business development skills, life skills and entrepreneurship.

Reflecting on his experience, Ahmed said: ‘The five-day training helped me understand my potential, set clear goals and develop a vision for my future. I gained essential skills in business planning, teamwork and the positive attitude needed to succeed in the business world. I can now map my business assets, communicate effectively, manage stress and make informed decisions to succeed in life and business.’

Growing the business and providing employment

Inspired by the training, Ahmed decided to use his five months’ experience in Addis Ababa to start a breakfast and snack service business. Although he struggled to secure start-up capital from credit service providers due to a lack of collateral, he turned to his family, relatives and friends for support. With their support, he raised enough money to start the business. Ahmed’s business began to flourish. He employed three local youths, saved some money and earned his own income.

Expressing his satisfaction with his progress, Ahmed said: ‘I am happy to provide employment for the young people who work with me. I have become a reason for them to lead a productive life without having to migrate. I have bought a modern machine to make chips from local potatoes. I now have substantial savings in my bank account and continue to save. In the near future, I plan to expand my fast-food business into a café near the main road.’

Ahmed is not only transforming his own life, he is also contributing to the success and progress of his employees. He is optimistic about his future and the impact he can continue to have on his community.

Find out more about Dorcas’ work in Ethiopia.

Dorcas took part in the Netherlands Trade Mission to Kenya from 17–20 March 2025. Focusing on sustainable agriculture and water, the mission provided a valuable platform for engagement, collaboration and visibility. The event was led by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Reinette Klever, and timed to coincide with the State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. It brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, development organisations, and research institutions.

Highlighting the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project 
One of the key moments for Dorcas was our presentation on the Siaya Water and Sanitation Project. Edwin, Country Director of Dorcas Kenya, and Daniella, Thematic Expert, shared insights on our partnership with Maji Milele, Siaya County Government, North Gem CDP and Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The Public Ownership-Private Management model used in this initiative received significant interest, with several organisations expressing a desire to replicate and scale up the approach in other regions. This underlines the growing demand for sustainable water solutions in Kenya.

So far, the project has had a substantial impact, providing access to safe water for more than 115,000 people and improved sanitation for more than 97,000 people.

Learn more about the impact by watching the video below:

Building partnerships and looking ahead 

Dorcas participated in a series of high-level meetings, networking events and site visits. These engagements enabled us to connect with new partners who share our vision for sustainable development. We explored opportunities to collaborate with various organisations interested in sustainable agriculture and water solutions. 

Participation in this mission has considerably boosted Dorcas’ visibility among key stakeholders in both Kenya and the Netherlands. The interest in the Siaya model, coupled with promising new contacts, offers exciting opportunities for future collaboration.

This mission reaffirmed our commitment to impactful and sustainable solutions in water and agriculture. We look forward to furthering our work for communities in Kenya and beyond.  

Learn more about Dorcas Kenya.

Today marks three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Over this time, many have endured immense suffering and loss. Yet despite these challenges, Dorcas Ukraine has seen the extraordinary resilience of our project participants, who continue to show unwavering strength.

Meet Tetiana (60)

Tetiana and her husband Serhii lived in Pologi, a town occupied in 2022. After the occupation, they were evacuated to Zaporizhzhia. Tetiana recounts: ‘There was constant shelling and we ran out of food, money and medicine for Serhii, who had suffered a stroke. With no communication or electricity, we had to travel across the city just to charge our phones. We left everything behind, taking only our cats.’

Reflecting on the last few years, Tetiana shares: ‘We have endured much. Though we carry on with our daily lives, we’re constantly confronted with the cycle of mourning what we’ve lost, followed by healing and growing stronger. I’ve had to let go of the pain of losing our home, which is now occupied by others.’

A new beginning in Zaporizhzhia

In Zaporizhzhia, Tetiana connected with Dorcas Ukraine through our ‘restoring hope’ project. Through this initiative, she enrolled in a sewing course, which has contributed to improving her family’s livelihood. Learning to sew had always been a dream of Tetiana, and despite the challenges, she was able to make it a reality.

Tetiana now plans to start by repairing clothes before moving on to tailoring. Together with her daughter, she also aims to create adaptive clothing for the wounded in hospitals.

At Dorcas, we remain committed to supporting people like Tetiana to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Her story is a reminder that even in the face of immense loss, new beginnings are possible.

Between October and December, the Dorcas team, with the support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), provided cash assistance for winter fuel to 4,258 households in the Zaporizhzhia region. This initiative has become an essential support for people in need, who have found themselves in a complicated situation due to the conflict and economic crisis. Over the past year, the problem has been exacerbated by continuing attacks on energy infrastructure.  

In addition, declining support from several funds has led to a significant increase in the number of internally displaced people at risk. IDPs are also often housed in privately rented or substandard housing, which, like most housing in Ukraine, may lack adequate insulation. Returnees and non-displaced persons also face similar insulation challenges in their homes, and the situation is exacerbated by conflict-related damages such as leaking roofs, broken windows and damaged perimeter walls that compromise the thermal integrity of the houses.   

As a result, heating their homes for at least three months has become an unbearable financial burden for people with disabilities, older people, large families and single parents. The amount of assistance was around 505 euros per household. The funds enabled families to buy firewood and briquettes to keep their homes warm during the cold months.  

This underscores the importance of international support in continuing to support Ukrainians who are enduring and struggling to survive in the midst of the conflict. 

The impact of this assistance can be seen in families like Valentyna’s. Forced to leave Zaporizhzhia due to the ongoing hostilities, Valentyna and her husband have settled in Vilnyansk, where they face a daily struggle to make ends meet. With limited financial resources, they rely on collected branches and cones to heat their home. Thanks to financial support from the Dorcas team and UHF, they were able to buy enough solid fuel to get them through the winter and provide a warm and stable environment for their grandchildren. Their story reflects the resilience of Ukrainian families and the important role humanitarian assistance plays in supporting them to face these difficult times with dignity and hope.

Kenya is severely affected by climate change, experiencing challenges such as prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and floods. These environmental stresses caused by global warming have led to land degradation and deforestation, further exacerbating the country’s vulnerability. To combat this, the Kenyan government has set a target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience. In addition to improving air quality, trees help prevent flooding, support biodiversity, and strengthen ecosystems, while also playing a key role in regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management practices by restoring soil health and preventing further degradation.

In line with these efforts, Dorcas Kenya launched the Kitui climate change project in 2021 to combat climate change while engaging children and supporting both their education and future resilience. This was done under the slogan ‘A child, a tree’, where each child is assigned a tree to plant, care for and maintain. The project has successfully planted 55,000 seedlings and distributed 100,000 seed balls of indigenous, bee-friendly trees. Survival rates measured one year after planting were over 65 per cent for the tree seedlings and 50 per cent for the seed balls. Building on these efforts, Dorcas Kenya launched the Marsabit climate change project in 2024, which aims to plant 8,400 tree seedlings in schools by 2027.  

Why is the involvement of children and schools in solutions to climate change such a valuable practice? This article explores how engaging children not only empowers them to take ownership of their future, but also builds wider community resilience, and highlights why the education system is such a fruitful setting for these initiatives.   

The role of education in climate action  

Schools are an ideal setting for climate action projects as they provide a structured environment where children can learn and actively participate in initiatives such as tree planting. Dorcas works with schools that are motivated to get involved, have at least one hectare of land and an active environmental club. Through these school environmental clubs, children gain knowledge and skills about the impact of climate change awareness, particularly how it affects their future livelihoods, the country’s economy and biodiversity. This encourages a deep understanding of the importance of environmental conservation and climate action. Including climate education in schools not only equips students with the information they need to address climate challenges but also builds a sense of responsibility and ownership. In this way, education creates a generation that is more informed, engaged and ready to lead the way to climate resilience.   

The power of children in the creation of a sustainable future  

Children are powerful agents of change, and Dorcas’ projects have shown how quickly they can adapt to new practices and behaviours, especially when given the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities. Through involvement in tree planting and environmental clubs, children develop a strong sense of ownership.  

Daniella Maroma, Thematic Expert on Climate Adaptation and Resilience at Dorcas, describes: ‘During my visit to the schools in Kenya, I witnessed something truly remarkable. The children proudly showcased their trees, their faces lighting up as they pointed out how tall they had grown. Each tree was a living testament to their care, dedication and belief in a brighter future. These children are not just caring for trees, they are actively shaping a more resilient and sustainable world. Their actions are a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with simple, determined steps.’ 

Children who grow trees to maturity are further encouraged through individual and school awards, which motivate them to continue their efforts. One of the schools Dorcas has worked with, Athi Primary School, is a good example of how highly motivated children can be. It now has at least 300 surviving trees, and the children carry water from their homes to keep the trees from drying out. This commitment often inspires their peers to get involved, creating a ripple effect in their schools and communities. Tree planting not only improves the environment in various ways but also secures a sustainable future for children by promoting biodiversity and supporting long-term climate resilience in their communities. 

Dorcas hopes to inspire young children to take a leading role in environmental conservation and in tackling the effects of climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.   

The provision of emergency cash assistance is a critical aspect of child protection, particularly in times of conflict and displacement. Through the work of Dorcas Ukraine and its sub-partner, Nevo, a dedicated field team provides timely and essential child protection services to children in need in the Zaporizhzhia region.

These children face challenges beyond the immediate threat of conflict. Many experience displacement, separation from family and friends, and the psychosocial impact of abandonment. Non-payment of child support following divorce also remains a common problem.  In addition, many grandmothers or mothers are raising children alone because their husbands are away in military service. Children with disabilities in vulnerable situations are also a key priority for cash assistance, since mothers often lack jobs and steady income due to caregiving responsibilities. 

To address these needs, case managers provide tailor-made cash assistance. The level of cash support is determined by the child protection cluster and may vary according to individual circumstances. This support is used to meet basic needs such as winter clothing, school supplies and materials to promote psychosocial well-being. 

Thanks to funding from the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), 99 children living near conflict zones have already received this vital support. By meeting their immediate needs, this emergency cash assistance provides not only practical support, but also hope and stability for children and their families at a difficult time. 

Extra-curricular activities are an important way for children to discover their talents, build confidence, socialise and develop positive habits. Recognising the importance of these opportunities, Dorcas Ukraine’s Future for Children programme works with its partner NGO ‘New Beginning’ to provide sports, educational and psychosocial activities for children in Transcarpathia. Each week, up to 80 children take part in these activities, 80 per cent of whom are from the Roma community.  

During the warmer months, the children enjoy nature outings where they plant trees, bushes and flowers with volunteers, benefiting both the environment and their sense of community. Art therapy has proved to be a popular activity for participants, providing a creative outlet for self-expression. The programme also includes psychosocial workshops led by specialists focusing on feelings and emotions, visits to local museums, school preparation support and engaging activities such as photography challenges. More than just fun, these after-school initiatives provide children with essential skills, emotional resilience and a supportive community. 

By investing in this programme, Dorcas Ukraine is supporting a brighter future for children in very vulnerable circumstances, empowering them to flourish. 

Dorcas is responding to urgent needs in South Sudan and Ethiopia, addressing crises in some of the most affected regions.

In South Sudan, the northern state of Bahr el Ghazal has been one of the hardest hit areas by the devastating floods, which have displaced families and had a severe impact on livelihoods. Agricultural land has been damaged and the harvest season disrupted, leaving many households facing food insecurity. To support recovery, ZOA Dorcas South Sudan will provide a one-off emergency cash distribution to up to 4,000 people in two counties.

Meanwhile, in Ethiopia’s Oromia State, East Wollega, displacement caused by intercommunal tensions over competition for land and resources and attacks by armed groups has forced thousands of people into overcrowded camps or urban areas. Following an assessment in six districts, the Dorcas Ethiopia team identified Waya Tuka as the area of most urgent need. Dorcas Ethiopia will provide cash assistance to 400 displaced households for two months.

Dorcas is and will continue to be committed to providing timely and effective support in the countries where we work. Reaching those most in need at critical times.

In conflict-affected regions, it is vital to ensure the well-being and safety of communities in vulnerable situations. The Dorcas Ukraine team, in partnership with organisations such as the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, is providing vital support to the Zaporizhzhia region, offering not only material assistance but also hope for a safer future. Efforts are focused on restoring stability in the face of ongoing threats, particularly from shelling and bombing, and ensuring that local communities can maintain their homes and sense of security.

A key element of this work is the repair of damaged homes, which is particularly critical as winter approaches. Replacing windows and doors in 37 homes was an important step in preparing for the colder months. As well as protection against the harsh winter conditions, these repairs are a source of physical and psychological reassurance for the residents. Many of the people supported are older or have a disability and are unable to leave their homes due to health issues, lack of family support or fear of the unknown.

In addition to physical repairs, Dorcas places particular emphasis on ensuring that people in need have access to essential resources. Repairs, psychological support and non-food parcels are life-saving during periods of increased shelling when local infrastructure is damaged.

Through these initiatives, we are not only rebuilding homes, but also fostering the belief that despite the challenges they face, the people of Zaporizhzhia can persevere and overcome adversity. A warm, safe home is not only a refuge, but also a symbol of support and resilience in these difficult times.