Fida’s history in Ethiopian work goes back to 1951, when their first missionaries arrived in the country. Now the church founded by the Finns has grown to be the large Ethiopian Guenet Church with 2.1 million members. The church is one of Fida’s local partners. The head of the Church, Secretary-General Tamirat Tariku, thanks the Finns very much for sending missionaries to their country.

Abdul’s Grandma carried 6-year-old Abdul on her back since he was little. The boy with Troyer’s syndrome couldn’t walk. Grandma had already thought of taking Abdul out of school, because she had to spend so much time caring for and carrying Abdul. Grandma felt hopeless, which is why Abdul was also depressed.

Maiju Heikkinen did her social-work practicum in Bangladesh through the Fida Short programme. Work in poor communities taught her that social work is not yet valued enough in the country.

Menstruation directly affects half the world’s population, but the understanding of the meaning and effect of menstruation is still not shared by everyone. Many people are affected by poor conditions and to change this, attitudes must change.

Fida’s aid for Ukraine and refugees from neighbouring countries will continue for a long time. Besides emergency accommodation and food aid, we will start psychosocial support training.

Fida’s humanitarian aid includes psychosocial support to help people to deal with trauma and adapt to new situations. Donated trauma teddy bears help children who have fled the war in Ukraine.

The prolonged war and the escalation of the crisis has increased the need for aid in Ukraine and neighboring countries. More than five million people have already fled Ukraine. Fida is responding to the need and extending aid not only to Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia, but also to Moldova. Aid to Ukraine is also sent through Romania.