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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.

Mission

To organize and empower Victims and survivors through support and advocacy to promote peace building, protecting, restoring dignity and healing to prevent further violations against humanity by ensuring access to justice, safety and inclusivity

Vision

Victims and survivors are recognized, protected, Supported and to restore dignity, promote and attain sustainable justice and peace

Proposes

To prevent the recurrence of the previous atrocities, to mitigate conflict and advocacy for survivor’s policies-centered

Core value

Empathy
Integrity and impartiality
Compassion
Respect and dignity
Equality and justice
Transparence
Trustworthy
Accountability

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.

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.

Achievements

Supported 2,337 victims and provide them consultations and treatment from psychological service centers established by OVS and local health facilities through counselling and case management in collaboration with the regional hospitals

Conducted community awareness, capacity building trainings and direct psychological services programs for over 5,000 beneficiaries in Several Projects such us.

Strengthening the capacity of local actors for community-centered transitional justice, funded by Arish Aid.
Capacity building projects funded by Civil Rights Defenders ( CRD).
Transitional justice related project funded by OHCHR.
And Projects funded by Conciliation Resources ( CR).

Partnered and engaged with Government institutions, National and International NGOs, regional bodies and UN agencies to strengthen survivor protection and supportive mechanisms