Oganization of Victims and Survivors(OVS)

The Organization of Victims and Survivors (OVS) is a local organization established by victims and survivors of gross human rights violations and conflict in the Somali region. It was established in April 2019 and is registered with the Somali Regional State's Justice Bureau and Disaster Risk Management Bureau. OVS is also registered the Federal Agency for Civil Society Organization, on October 31, 2022.

FOCUS AREA
  • Advocacy and Awareness.
  • Human Rights Protection.
  • Stakeholder Networking and Engagement.
  • Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution.
  • Victims Livelihood.
  • Transitional Justice Process and Psychosocial Support.
  • Documentation, Monitoring and Memorialization..
TARGET GROUP
  • Victims and Survivors.
  • Victims and Survivors.
  • Venerable and Marginalized Communities.
  • Women and Gender-based violence .
  • Child-protection .
  • Persons with disabilities (PWD).
  • Conflicts-affected Communities.
  • Internally-displaced People (IDPs).
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
  • Somali Regional State of Ethiopia with its border areas.
  • Dire-dawa City administration.
APPROACH
  • OVS Adopts a holistic and right-centered services, working in collaboration with government level institutions, Healthcare providers, legal institutions federal and regional CSOs, community-based groups, Women-led organization, donors and International agencies to insure collaborated and effective support for victims and survivors, venerable communities and internally displaced peoples(IDPs)
Key Programs and Services
  • Psychosocial Support: - Trauma-informed counselling, group therapy, and emotional support.
  • Legal Assistance: - Legal information, referrals.
  • Emergency Support: - Safe shelter, medical referrals, and crisis response.
  • Case Management: - Individualized survivor support plans.
  • Economic Empowerment: - Skills training, livelihood support, and reintegration programs.
  • Advocacy and Awareness: - Community education, prevention campaigns, and policy advocacy.
Strategic Objectives
  • Strengthen the recognition and Support of victims and survivors as rights-holders and policy influencers.
  • Advocate for institutional reforms and effective implementation of transitional justice mechanisms in the Somali Region.
  • Provide psychosocial support, legal, economic, and medical support services that promote healing and rehabilitation.
  • Build the capacity of victims and survivors to organize, lead, and represent their interests at local, regional, and national levels.
  • Foster reconciliation, social cohesion, and sustainable peace through community dialogue and truth-seeking initiatives.
  • Promote accountability for past violations and prevent the recurrence of human rights abuses and conflict.