In 2021 a group of educated, dynamic and like-minded individuals working in the humanitarian and emergency sector, got together to establish this local organization, for addressing the most urgent and pressing needs of disaster risk –affected and the deprived people in Ethiopia. True to this spirit the organization was named Ultimate Concern for the Deprived (UCD).
Ultimate Concern for the Deprived (UCD) is an indigenous, nonprofit non-governmental organization established in 2021. It has been registered and licensed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Charities and Societies Agency as an Ethiopian Residents Charity in accordance with the Agency and Societies Proclamation No.621/2021.
The mission of UCD is to contribute to the broader Disaster Risk Reduction of communities affected by natural and man-made hazards, through an emergency relief and recovery, to help build a better the local community where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society after recovering from disaster risks.
“An enabling humanitarian and emergency environment – through which – the realization, respect, and protection of fundamental human rights among the affected community is enabled to make them active contributor within the society”
The goal of UCD is to contribute in lessoning of the suffering of the deprived and the vulnerable communities – affected by natural and human-triggered disaster risks – through community mobilization, coordination, capacity building, advocacy & strengthening of local community systems and institutions.
A sustainable strategy is devised to achieve the intended outcome in terms of equity, access and inclusion. This will be effected through a need based and right based approach initiated with respect to the nature and magnitude of risks, with fully community involvement and mobilizing local and international resources. The program goal are materialized with a helping hand from members, the government, the donor agencies, philanthropists, humanitarian volunteers.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable rural development is a dynamic process posing various needs at different phases of time. These can be dealt with continuous interventions based on designed frameworks that incorporate the requirements projected by the local authorities and humanitarian organizations, public-private partnership, and with the help of the communities.
Ensuring transparency at all levels of our work
Providing creative expertise and strong commitment
With Government, Donors, and the Private Sector
Within our local NGO as well as in society
To act according to the values we wish to promote
Showing our willingness to change and learn
Influenced by the humanitarian/emergency background of the founding members, UCD follows a humanitarian principles and rights-based and participatory approach in every sphere of its work. UCD strongly believes that the traditional knowledge of the deprived rural poor is valued and respected, and there is confidence that rural people are capable of contributing to their own sustainable development if external assistances are provided when these communities are confronted with natural and man-made hazards. On a practical level, the fundamental thrust of this approach is decentralization and empowerment.
Externally, UCD role as a “change agent” helps to develop community disaster risk management systems and structures that are capable of managing their own risk reduction to alleviate them from sufferings. These community risk management structures are not parallel structures, but are built upon traditional institutions, promoting equitable representation and participation. UCD strongly believes in maximizing its impact by transferring field experiences into knowledge to influence the development policies and practices of NGOs, donors and government agencies. This is important for working towards the long-term goal of eradicating poverty.
The overall objective of UCD is to ensure enhanced ability in the target communities to tackle their own risk related problems as part of sustainable community development.
Externally, UCD role as a “change agent” helps to develop community disaster risk management systems and structures that are capable of managing their own risk reduction to alleviate them from sufferings. These community risk management structures are not parallel structures, but are built upon traditional institutions, promoting equitable representation and participation. UCD strongly believes in maximizing its impact by transferring field experiences into knowledge to influence the development policies and practices of NGOs, donors and government agencies. This is important for working towards the long-term goal of eradicating poverty.
During the entire process of humanitarian/emergency programming, UCD adopts a participatory, self-help, self-sustainable approach through community involvement and formation of volunteer groups in remote rural areas of risk affected locations.
UCD has strong humanitarian and emergency programming, through its pool of senior Specialist, has interacting with major NGOs and funding agencies having its founding members worked with diverse organizations in various senior management and leadership capacities in Ethiopia for the past three decades. UCD founding members do also enjoy a rich experience of working in the diverse socio-cultural environment of Ethiopia and an extensive networking with the national and sub-national Governments, civil society institutions, and non-governmental organizations.
Ultimate Concern for the Deprived follows the below mentioned guiding principles in implementation of its humanitarian/emergency projects/programmes:
– Use of indigenous knowledge
– Making efforts to achieve highest quality standards
– Promoting a culture of innovation and creativity
– Meeting deadlines
– Enhancing networking and coordination
– Facing challenges
– Reaching to areas where other operators do not