Dawn already has a lot of experience in the world of development work. Yet the situation in Ethiopia, where she has been ZOA country director since 2021, is extremely complex. “In Ethiopia we are facing and addressing the impact of both man made and natural disasters, supporting refugees and displaced persons to rebuild their lives. We face new challenges regularly and at times it can be overwhelming, but we work together as a team, to prioritise and deliver change.”
Strong reputation
''As ZOA, we have a strong reputation in Ethiopia. We are known to act quickly in emergency situations. We have our logistics in order. But what really sets ZOA apart is that it also looks at the long term. We do not want refugees to remain dependent on food aid, but to become self-sufficient. We go one step further. Not only do we help people to set up their own vegetable garden, but we also immediately teach them how to sell their extra-grown vegetables on the market.”