Where we work

Elela-Care Thematic Sectors of Intervention.

Elela-Care Humanitarian and Development Organization (ECM) implements community-level interventions in critical sectors across the BAY States (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) and Benue State, with plans to expand to Northwest Nigeria. Our approach is centered on creating safer, healthier, and more empowered communities, with a particular focus on school-related interventions. Below is a brief overview of our response in each sector:

1. Protection - Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Elela-Care is at the forefront of addressing GBV in conflict-affected areas, particularly School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV). Our approach includes:

• Community Engagement: Mobilizing and sensitizing communities to recognize and respond to GBV, ensuring survivors receive appropriate support.

• Capacity Building: Training teachers, community leaders, and youth on GBV prevention, response, and referral mechanisms.

• Safe Spaces: Establishing safe spaces in schools and communities where survivors can access psychosocial support and confidential services.

• Advocacy: Engaging in advocacy to strengthen legal frameworks and policies that protect vulnerable groups, especially women and girls.

2. Education

Our education interventions aim to ensure that children, particularly those in conflict zones, have access to safe, quality education. We focus on:

• School Safety: Implementing School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) prevention programs to create safer learning environments.

• Teacher Training: Equipping teachers with the skills to handle trauma and provide psychosocial support to students.

• Access to Education: Promoting enrolment and retention of children, especially girls and marginalized groups, through community sensitization and support programs.

• Learning Materials: Distributing learning materials and providing infrastructural support to schools in need.

3. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

In WASH, Elela-Care’s focus is on improving community and school hygiene practices to prevent disease outbreaks and promote overall health:

• Hygiene Promotion: Conducting hygiene education sessions in schools and communities to encourage handwashing, proper waste disposal, and menstrual hygiene management.

• Emergency WASH: Providing immediate WASH interventions in response to outbreaks or during displacement crises.

• WASH Infrastructure: Constructing and rehabilitating water points and sanitation facilities in schools and communities.

4. Health

Our health initiatives prioritize improving access to essential health services, with a focus on maternal, neonatal, and child health:

• Primary Health Care: Supporting community health facilities with medical supplies, training, and infrastructure development.

• Maternal and Child Health: Running outreach programs that provide antenatal care, immunizations, and nutrition services to mothers and children.

• Health Education: Conducting health education campaigns on topics like disease prevention, family planning, and sexual and reproductive health.

5. Nutrition

Nutrition interventions are a core part of our response, particularly in addressing malnutrition among vulnerable populations:

• Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM): Implementing CMAM programs in collaboration with local health facilities to treat malnourished children.

• Nutrition Education: Training mothers and caregivers on infant and young child feeding practices to prevent malnutrition.

• Screening and Referral: Regularly conducting nutritional screenings in communities and schools, referring severe cases to appropriate facilities for treatment.

Elela-Care’s approach across all these sectors is rooted in community engagement, capacity building, and advocacy, ensuring that our interventions are sustainable and leave a lasting impact on the communities we serve. We are committed to expanding our reach to Northwest Nigeria to address emerging humanitarian challenges and continue driving positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable.

Elela-Care Humanitarian and Development Organization (ECM) operates with a holistic approach that integrates cross-cutting interventions to enhance our impact across all sectors. Central to our mission is the empowerment of youth, advocacy for effective governance, grassroots empowerment, and providing coordination support in the Northeast Humanitarian response.

Cross-Cutting Interventions

1. Youth Empowerment

Elela-Care is deeply committed to empowering youth to thrive in their chosen fields, recognizing them as pivotal agents of change in their communities. Our youth empowerment initiatives include:

• Skill Development: Providing training and workshops to equip young people with the skills and competencies needed for employment and entrepreneurship. This includes vocational training, digital literacy, and leadership development.

• Mentorship Programs: Connecting youth with mentors who guide them in their professional and personal development, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

• Youth Advocacy: Amplifying the voices of young people in policy and decision-making processes, ensuring their perspectives are included in discussions that affect their futures.

• Youth-Led Initiatives: Supporting youth-led projects and initiatives that address community needs, fostering a culture of innovation and leadership among young people.

2. Advocacy for Effective Governance

Elela-Care advocates for good governance and effective policy implementation at the grassroots level. Our approach includes:

• Community Dialogue Platforms (CDP): Facilitating sessions that bring together community members, leaders, and government officials to discuss and address local governance issues, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and considered.

• Policy Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to promote policies that support sustainable development, human rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations.

• Citizen Engagement: Educating and empowering citizens to participate actively in governance, hold leaders accountable, and contribute to community development.

3. Grassroots Empowerment

Our grassroots empowerment efforts focus on building the capacity of local communities to drive their own development. This is achieved through:

• Capacity Building: Training community leaders and organizations in project management, advocacy, and resource mobilization to enhance their ability to implement and sustain development projects.

• Resource Mobilization: Supporting communities in identifying and accessing resources to address local challenges, including funding opportunities, partnerships, and technical assistance.

• Sustainable Livelihoods: Promoting sustainable income-generating activities, particularly for women and marginalized groups, to reduce poverty and enhance community resilience.

4. Coordination Support in the Northeast Humanitarian Response

Elela-Care plays a critical role in the coordination of humanitarian response efforts in Northeast Nigeria, ensuring that interventions are well-organized and effectively address the needs of affected populations:

• Interagency Collaboration: Working closely with other humanitarian actors, including government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations, to coordinate response efforts and avoid duplication of services.

• Information Sharing: Facilitating the exchange of information and best practices among partners to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian interventions.

• Capacity Building for Local Actors: Strengthening the capacity of local organizations and community-based groups to participate in and lead humanitarian response activities, ensuring that responses are contextually appropriate and sustainable.

Conclusion

Elela-Care’s comprehensive approach integrates these cross-cutting interventions with our sector-specific responses in Protection-GBV, Education, WASH, Health, and Nutrition. By empowering youth, advocating for good governance, empowering grassroots communities, and providing coordination support, we ensure that our interventions not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term, sustainable development. Our commitment to expanding these efforts to Northwest Nigeria underscores our dedication to creating a world where everyone, regardless of their background, can lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.