Development Food Security Activity, (DFSA) Cooperative Agreement No. AID-FFP-A-16-00005

FY 2020 Quarter 3 Report April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020

Awardee Name and Host Country Catholic Relief Services - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Award Number AID-FFP-A-16-00005 Project Name Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) Submission Date 30 July 2020 Revised Submission Date 24 August 2020 Reporting Period Quarter 3, FY 2020 Awardee HQ Contact Name Kristina Brayman Awardee HQ Contact Address 228 W. Lexington St. Baltimore, MD 21201

Awardee HQ Telephone Number + 1.417.761.9087

Awardee HQ Contact Email Address [email protected] Host Country Contact Name John Shumlansky Host Country Office Contact Telephone Number (+251)112 788 800 Host Country Office Contact Email Address [email protected]

1 Acronym List BOLSA Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs LG Livelihood Group CA Community Animator LH Lead Herder CAHW Community Animal Health Worker LQAS Lot Quality Assurance Sampling CAT Cash and Asset Transfer LRO Livelihoods for Resilience - CC Community Conversation MBA Mobile Banking Agent CCG Community Conversation Group MC Mercy Corps CCL Centre for Creative Leadership MCHN Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition CCFLS Community-based Complementary MCS Meki Catholic Secretariat Feeding and Learning Sessions MEAL Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and CHAST Children Hygiene and Sanitation Training Learning CHNP Community Health and Nutrition Promotors MF MicroFlush CLA Collaboration, Learning and Adapting MFI Microfinance Institution CLTSH Community-Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene MG Marketing Groups CRS Catholic Relief Services MIS Management Information System CU5 Children Under Five MoANR Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources DA Development Agent MT Metric Tons DBA Designed Behavioral Change ODF Open Defecation Free DFSA Development Food Security Activity O&M Operations and Maintenance DiNER Diversity in Nutrition and Enhanced Resilience OTP Outpatient Therapeutic Program DVM Department of Veterinary Medicine OSC One Stop Centre EI Economic Infrastructure PASS Payroll and Attendance Sheet System ENA Essential Nutrition Actions PDI Positive Deviance Inquiry ESDM Environmentally Sound Design and PDS Permanent Direct Support Management PDSA Plan, Do, Study and Act FDP Food Distribution Point PICS Purdue Improved Crop Storage FES Fuel Efficient Stove PIM Program Implementation Manual FFP Food for Peace PLW Pregnant Lactating Women FGM Female Genital Mutilation PTC Pastoral Training Center FA Field Agent PSNP Productive Safety Net Program FFP Food for Peace PSP Private Service Provider FMNR Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration PW Public Works FSP Financial Service Providers PWD Persons with Disabilities FTC Farmer Training Center Q Quarter FY Fiscal Year QIVC Quality Improvement Verification GBV Gender Based Violence Checklists GoE Government of Ethiopia OSC One Stop Center HC Health Clinic RA Regreening Africa HCS Hararghe Catholic Secretariat RPASS Rural Payroll and Attendance Sheet System HDA Health Development Armies SEI Social/Economic Indicator HEW Health Extension Worker SILC Savings Internal Lending Communities HF Health Facilities SPX Cross-cutting Sub-Purpose HFW Health Facility Worker SWC Soil and Water Conservation HH Household TASC Technical Assistance Steering Committee HTP Harmful Traditional Practice TFH/IFH The Faithful House/Islamic Family IGA Income Generation Activity House IMNCI Integrated Management of Newborn and Child TWG Technical Working Group Illnesses ToC Theory of Change IO Intermediate Outcome ToT Training of Trainers IP Implementing Partner USAID United States Agency for International IPC Integrated Phase Classification Development IVR Interactive Voice Recording WBC Water Benefit Calculator JEOP Joint Emergency Operation WC&YO Women, Children &Youth Office JSMR Joint-Structured Monitoring Review WoHO Woreda Health Office KFSTF Kebele Food Security Task Force WFSTF Woreda Food Security Task Force LSAO Labor and Social Affairs Office YCC Youth Community Center LEW Livelihood Extension Worker YDC Youth Development Center LICU Livelihood Coordination YLG Youth Livelihood Groups Implementation Coordination Unit LF Lead Farmer LG Livelihood Group

2 i) Project Summary

COVID-19 had a significant impact on DFSA interventions in Q3. Interventions affected by the COVID-19 included resource transfers such as food and seeds, trainings, and monitoring visits. However, by using earlier technology investments, adapting interventions where possible and applying a flexible implementation mindset while adhering to WHO and Government of Ethiopia precautionary measures, CRS was, nonetheless, able to implement a number of key interventions including completing most food commodity transfers, DiNER Fairs interventions and a number of social and economic infrastructures as well as implementing the USAID approved Redirection/Pivot Plan (submitted on April 1 and again on April 28). ii) Project Outputs

CRS’ DFSA continued with planned food commodity transfers during this reporting period. During Q2, CRS’ DFSA had received approval from USAID (on March 16) to conduct double distributions and this approval applied to planned Q3 distributions. This reduced the movement of clients, avoiding the need for multiple trips to the FDPs to receive their transfers. CRS’ DFSA also implemented a number of COVID-19 safety measures taken during distributions: • PSNP clients wash their hands before and after applying thumbprints and signatures • Woreda-based commodity supervisors, FDP staff (warehouse keepers, food distributers and scoopers) wear masks and gloves (purchased using CRS’ private funds) in handling food and payrolls • PSNP clients wash their hands before entering the FDP and exiting • Spaces clearly marked to help PSNP clients manage physical distancing • Woreda governments Health and Agriculture Offices as well as HCS staff provide messaging on COVID-19 during distributions • COVID-19 posters put up at FDP sites • Partners managed the double distributions by fully engaging commodity staff, deploying additional staff (senior management team members, food monitors) and assigning additional vehicles

Of the target clients, 240,525 were Public Work (PW) & Permanent Direct Support (PDS) clients while 10,657 were contingency clients. All PW & PDS (240,525) clients received 100% of the April & May transfers. CRS’ DFSA June transfer (final round) was not fully completely during this period -138,350 PW & PDS clients (58%) received commodities by June 30, 2020. The 5% contingency food distribution was not started as of June 30, 2020. According to PSNP 4 guidelines, beneficiaries should receive their monthly food rations within 30 days of the end of the month. The June transfer will be completed by 21 July 2020, abiding by the PSNP 4 rule for food distributions.

CRS’ DFSA conducted a Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) exercise and questions included satisfaction with COVID-19 containment measures at FDPs. Results showed that majority of the clients were satisfied with the measures implemented especially the messaging, handwashing, and adherence to physical distancing.

Table 1: Q3 PW and PDS Food Transfers by Month Food Distribution April May June Unique Participants Actual 122,221 122,221 70,301 122,221 Male Planned 122,221 122,221 122,221 122,221 Actual 118,304 118,304 68,048 118,304 Female Planned 118,304 118,304 118,304 118,304 Actual 240,525 240,525 138,350 240,525 Total Planned 240,525 240,525 240,525 240,525

3 iii) Programming Performance

SPX: Women and youth have increased access to and control of community and HH resources As with other Purposes, COVID-19 created coordination and implementation challenges for the SPX team while also offering opportunities to think more innovatively in their efforts to serve PSNP clients. The SPX team undertook weekly calls and spent time discussing and updating the implementation of planned interventions. These meetings served as an alternative to more regular/traditional TWG meetings but enabled information sharing, technical discussions and shared learning.

HCS’ SPX team conducted a 10-day field monitoring and supervision visit in June to all DFSA Woredas in East Hararghe as well as . The main purpose of the visit was to monitor the status of youth volunteers, remobilize them and do the necessary reparations for induction sessions on a youth volunteer management system which will enable them to participate in various volunteerism interventions including COVID-19 prevention and awareness raising campaigns, seedlings plantation program and supporting planned DFSA interventions. As a result, an agreement was made with woreda WC&YO that induction sessions could be organized for youth volunteers in smaller groups of 4 to maximum of 10 participants (applying COVID-19 protection protocols and policies).

CRS implemented various interventions to increase participation of communities in events and processes that promote gender equity and youth engagement. To fast track the Community Conversations (CC) assessment and use the results from the first phase of data collection, CRS conducted a virtual interpretation workshop of the CC assessment data. The first phase report will be ready by the end of August 2020. CRS also conducted awareness raising on gender and youth issues for the broader community. MCS SPX staff collaborated with relevant government stakeholders to pass messages to 516 Activity participants (214 male and 302 female) on gender based violence (rape and intimate partner violence), harmful traditional practice (FGM, early marriage), child protection, gender equity and equality themes (gender roles, decision making and access to resources) and COVID-19 transmission and prevention mechanisms.

CRS engaged youth volunteers in COVID-19 response interventions implemented by DFSA and other stakeholders including woreda government offices. HCS and MCS teams mobilized 601 (318 male and 183 female) youth volunteers and trained them on volunteerism and COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategies. The training was done jointly by DFSA SPX and the Health and Nutrition teams. These trained volunteers later applied necessary mitigation measures in response to COVID-19 during awareness raising campaigns and house to house visits with respective woreda taskforce members to educate households on the pandemic. CRS DFSA partners selected gender volunteers (leaders of CC groups, gender champions, TFH/IFH couples) and provided awareness creation on the developed COVID-19 gender-based violence and intimate partner violence (GBV/IPV) strategy to engage them actively in educating communities. The gender volunteers received training on the key GBV and HTP issues affecting their communities. Because of COVID-19, they also learned CRS’ COVID-19 protocols on how to properly conduct home visits, conduct social distancing, and utilize PPEs and hand sanitizers. In addition to learning the principles of Do No Harm and community acceptance, the gender volunteers learned how to identify GBV/HTP incidents and how to report them to existing service providers at the woreda level such as WC&YO, health, and justice. GBV victims mostly go directly to the WC&YO, but sometimes they go directly to the police and a local health institution if medical attention is required. In Q3, no issues were raised that was beyond the scope of the project and capacity of the volunteers.

DFSA also developed key youth messages that integrated COVID-19 messages, printed 2,500 copies and disseminated them using various platform including DiNER fairs, schools, youth centers and community gathering places. The key messages were translated to local languages.

Mercy Corps, with support from a local consultant, developed a training manual to help equip youth with fundraising and resource mobilization skills and job aids targeting the youth. The training manual consists of five sessions which enhance the participants’ competence in social entrepreneurship, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, and developing skills in designing and implementing projects that will bring high social

4 impact for the local communities. The training has been postponed to FY21 due to COVID-19 which affected participant training selection. DFSA’s functional literacy intervention was also interrupted due to COVID-19. However, DFSA adapted its approach and collaborated with East Hararghe zone education office to develop self-teaching booklets for 1st and 2nd cycle participants to help address this challenge. 4,000 booklets were printed and will be distributed in Q4. The booklets also include brief COVID-19 messages on their cover which remind participant to take precautions. To ensure effective use of booklets and support the learning process, CRS developed a brief implementation guidance. CRS’ DFSA also reviewed the TFH/IFH facilitators manual and shortened it to make it more user friendly. HCS printed 1,500 couple handbooks for TFH/IFH participants and materials will be distributed to Activity participants in Q4.

DFSA finalized development and translation of three job aids on women and youth leadership and male engagement to help increase participation of women and youth in community systems and structures. The SPX team will distribute the job aids in Q4 to frontline staff to help them train communities on the importance of women and youth leadership engagement and how male engagement in childcare and domestic interventions contributes to women’s participation in leadership. Anticipating an increase in GBV/IPV during COVID-19, CRS’ DFSA developed a GBV/IPV strategy and shared with relevant stakeholders. The strategy is intended to help prevent or minimize GBV/IPV during COVID-19 using existing platforms and approaches including house to house visits and community campaigns using loudspeakers. The strategy focusses on potential causes for GBV/IPV during the pandemic and transmits messages and advice on how to prevent GBV/IPV incidences within the household and the community. The GOE stakeholders trained in this strategy included members of the COVID-19 task force and woreda level DFSA staff who work with them.

DFSA documented six success stories of women and youth for sharing with relevant stakeholders including DFSA participants. The stories covered various topics including TFH/IFH, CC-SILC integration, GBV, volunteerism and food security. CRS’ DFSA will print these in the local language (Afaan Oromo) and disseminate the stories by posting them in visible public places where community members can read them.

P I: GoE and community systems respond to reduce communities’ and households’ vulnerability to shocks CRS DFSA implementing partner (IP) technical experts supported community (village and kebele) level planning processes while CRS field-based and IP technical staff supported woreda level planning in terms of prioritizing interventions and ensuring PW-livelihoods linkages (around the annual woreda PSNP plans). DFSA’s eight Oromia region woredas submitted EFY 2013 (FY21) draft PSNP plans to Oromia Bureau Agriculture & Natural Resources (Food Security Sector). Dire Dawa Administration submitted its draft PSNP plan to the Federal Food Security Coordination Directorate. The PSNP plans will be reviewed by Oromia region and the national level Food Security Coordination Directorate for approval.

Planned group coaching sessions to WFSTF members on leadership and communication essentials were affected by COVID-19. As an alternative, CCL adjusted its approach and conducted one remote coaching session for four MCS woredas with each partner woreda coordinator and one active member of WFSTF on current issues to improve their performance (this member will cascade the coaching to other members). Using this modified approach, CCL’s assigned coach spent about 2.5 hours with each member and conducted a bimonthly follow up. In this first round of coaching sessions, the coach was able to build trust with the participants, assess the key leadership challenges they faced, and support them in drawing out a plan to deal with these challenges for the month. Based on learning from the first remote coaching, CCL will conduct the remaining sessions (three in HCS and two in MCS areas).

IPs planned to support monthly WFSTF meetings (3 in total) in each DFSA woreda. In HCS operational areas, 3 DFSA woredas (Babile, Midega Tola and Deder) conducted two monthly meetings and 2 DFSA woredas (Melka Bello and Dire Dawa) conducted only one monthly meeting in Q3. The low achievement was due to other GOE priorities by WFSTF members (primarily COVID-19). In MCS operational areas, three DFSA woredas did not conduct WFSTF monthly meetings. Ziway Dugda managed to conduct one monthly meeting in Q3. Nonetheless, during monitoring visits, CRS field-based and IP staff found that WFSTFs are regularly

5 following implementation progress through field level meetings, discussions, joint site visits, and supervision of DFSA and PSNP interventions of commodity transfer status, soil and water conservation, watershed management, irrigation and water, and social service construction (schools, and health and veterinary posts). While CRS and IP staff are conducting monitoring visits, they meet with key WFSTF staff to update them on their observations. WFSTFs also receive regular reports on implementation progress through woreda sector offices engaged in PSNP interventions.

MCS conducted environmental screening for one rural road in Ziway Dugda woreda and 4 SSI schemes in Negele Arsi, Heben Arsi and Ziway Dugda woredas using CRS/DFSA’s environmentally sound checklist.

Although TWG meetings were not conducted in Q3 due to COVID-19, DFSA’s Purpose I team conducted virtual meetings to discuss implementation opportunities, progress and challenges.

Implementation of labor-intensive public work interventions were affected in Q3 due to COVID-19. MCS produced 905,100 and HCS produced 12,806,775 different seedlings (tree seedlings, multipurpose tree seedlings, fruit tree seedlings and forage tree seedlings). In the reporting period, 5,180,000 and 255,000 seedlings were planted in HCS and MCS DFSA woredas, respectively (note that MCS will plant its remaining seedlings in July). CRS continued to monitor the tree seedling survival rates. The second round of the FY 2019 planation survival rate count was conducted in HCS and MCS DFSA woredas. Survival rate in HCS DFSA woredas (at sample sites) ranged from 70% -75%. The survival rate count in MCS area is under analysis and will be reported as part of the Annual Results Report. These seedlings were planted in communal PW sites to restore degraded watershed areas. The seedlings are produced and distributed by the woreda FSTF who cover the costs from the woreda capital budget. PW beneficiaries contribute their labor to prepare the pits for planting as part of the PW plantation activity. DFSA covered the transfer of the seedlings to the sites as an incentive to the PW beneficiaries.

Farmer's Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) contributes to the restoration of degraded farm and communal land and create resilience to climate change through improving livelihoods. MCS provided seedlings to farmers in Q3. FMNR farmers (151 HHs – 31 female-headed HHs and 120 male-headed HHs) planted 45,447 different seedlings on their farmlands (with total area 31ha) in two Shalla and Negele Arsi woredas. In support of forage development practices and DFSA’s fodder bank activity, Shalla, Negele Arsi and Heben Arsi woredas distributed different grass for planting in area enclosures and FMNR farmland. In Shalla and Negele Arsi, CRS’ DFSA supported compost preparation with 57 smallholder farmers preparing 48.5 cubic meters of compost and applied it to their farms.

CRS also monitored construction of SSI projects. Keraru SSI scheme construction in stands at 80%. Drinking water supply schemes in Arsi Negele and Ziway Dugda were 30% and 55% completed, respectively. In HCS areas, construction of SI/EI and water projects is ongoing. Construction of two SSI schemes in Babile and Melka Bello are 70% complete. The SSI scheme in Deder is behind schedule (30% completed) due to delayed hiring of a contractor because of contractor shortages in the area. The issues have been resolved and completion is scheduled for September. Progress for drinking water supply projects construction showed that shallow well in Babile was 40 % while spring development in Melka Bello was 100% completed – all implemented and funded through the Woredas’ Capital Budget allocation. Social infrastructures construction in Midega Tola and Dire Dawa are progressing well (95 % completed) while construction of a school block (with 4 classrooms and office) is behind schedule (25%) in Dire Dawa due to delays in identifying and finalizing an agreement with contractor. The contractor is now on board and completion in scheduled for mid-September.

P II: Households improve their sustainable livelihood and economic well-being To improve coordination among livelihood team during COVID-19, DFSA conducted a series of two-day review meetings with woreda based Livelihood Extension Workers (LEW) in Negele Arsi (April 15 – 16), Ziway Dugda (May 15-16) and Heben Arsi (June 4-5) with telephone follow ups later. The meetings focused on progress and planning in Q3 and the implementation of CRS’ COVID-19 guidelines. MCS trained 50 (13F) YLG members on the YES curriculum from June 15 to 30, 2020. The training followed COVID-19

6 containment measures by having five people in each training session with physical distancing and handwashing. MCS also identified 50 role model women in Shala (21), Negele Arsi (17), Heben Arsi (4) and Ziway Dugda (8) based on their leadership and decision-making role in three economic livelihoods interventions areas - SILC, marketing, and lead farmers/herders’ groups (HCS will conduct this activity in Q4). MCS planned to recognize exemplary performers and create opportunities for them to serve as mentors/motivators in their villagers to motivate women leaders and strengthen farmer-to-farmer communication. The award ceremony event was interrupted due to COVID-19 epidemic and has been rescheduled for Q4.

In Q3 FY20, 1,623 livelihoods groups (LGs/YLGs) – 17,177 males and 20,446 females - continued participating in Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC). In an effort to adapt to COVID-19, CRS’ DFSA engaged the SILC groups and suggested three options to choose from. The first had SILC groups share out their savings and invest in building assets, including purchase of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fodder, and livestock. The second option was the temporary suspension of savings. The last option was the continuation of SILC meetings albeit in accordance with CRS’ COVID-19 guidelines (reduced number of members meeting, physical distancing, etc.).

DFSA also promoted access to financial services from formal financial institutions. 254 SILC members (84F) accessed credit worth 324,000 ETB from RUSACCO (revolving funds) in Negele Arsi and from Metemamen MFI in Ziway Dugda and Heben Arsi to improve their businesses. The average loan size was 5,212 ETB per clients. 400 (110F) LG’s members completed 8 steps of livelihood checklist. The checklists are a certification mechanism that show that a LG member has gone through all interventions within the PSNP livelihood pathway model including technical training, follow up support, business plan development, and linkage to external financial service providers. HCS staff supported business plan development for 558 (198F) LG members and helped them engage in different IGAs such as ox and shoat fattening. CRS DFSA realized that there is a gender difference in terms of access to financial services (e.g. women constituting nearly 33% of SILC members who accessed credit from RUSACCO). Greater effort will be made in Q4 to refer female clients to MFIs and RUSACCO and facilitate their access to agro-dealer shops.

In Q3, 271 (134 Female) marketing group (MG) members sold 1,663,589 ETB worth of products (sheep. goats, eggs, onions, potato ad cattle) during the holiday markets of Easter and Eid al-Fitr in Dire Dawa, Babile, Deder and Melka Belo market centers. LEWs continued to support MGs members to improve their negotiation strength to gain better prices during these holiday sales. HCS provided egg collection and handling equipment to 22 poultry marketing groups with 400 members (231F). The equipment is made from locally available material and should help reduce the risk of egg loss until it reaches the marketplace for sale by members. MCS purchased and promoted PICS bags to 351 (62F) farmers and oriented them on post-harvest management and effective use of PICS bags for grain commodity storage to reduce postharvest loss of cereal crops.

CRS’ DFSA provided different varieties of agricultural inputs of seeds to promote diversified sources of nutrition and enhanced household resilience through the DiNER Fairs. HCS and MCS distributed improved varieties of different beans and vegetables to of 4,478 LG households. The voucher amount was $40 per PSNP client. 1495.98 kg consisting of five varieties of vegetable seeds (tomato, onion, carrot, cabbage, beet root.), 69,688.75 kg legume seeds of different varieties (haricot bean, groundnut, and horse bean) and 27,794 kg improved variety of Melkassa 2 (M2) Maize were provided. CRS’ DFSA developed COVID-19 protocols to ensure effective distribution of the inputs while ensuring strong accountability and safety measures. CRS used the CommCare platform to register and track DiNER fair recipients. The MEAL team collected contact details and took photos of each client with required consent for accountability. These contact details will be used to conduct phone based PDM and client verification in July and August. During the distribution, messages provided by respective experts to communities on COVID-19 included social distancing, handwashing, nutrition, and crops production. At the DiNER fair market centers, CRS used IVR technology to educate, demonstrate and disseminate COVID-19 messages to clients.

CRS’ DFSA also promoted different technologies and practices through demonstration plots using 100 selected Farmers Training Centers/Pastoral Training Centers (FTC/PTC) in all DFSA operation areas (60 in HCS and 40

7 in MCS woredas). With technical guidance from LEWs, 725 (231F) Lead Farmers and 305 (104F) follower farmers implemented different practices including use of improved crop varieties, row planting, soil and water conservation-based land preparation, compost making and utilization, feed management, and agroforestry. The lead farmers demonstrated their experiences to follower farmers on compost preparation, soil and water conservation practices and seed bed preparation for tree seedlings raising.

Twenty-one agro-dealers reached 5,597 (1,621F) PSNP clients and 2,151 (522F) non-PSNP clients with different agricultural inputs such as different vegetable seeds (onion, cabbage, tomato, beat root), animal feed, effective microorganism (EM), molasses, PICS bag, and agricultural tools in DFSA’s operational woredas. This was done through their shops.

Livelihood Recovery for Desert Locust Response DFSA operation areas In 2019, a series of rare cyclones hit the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, creating ideal conditions for locust reproduction. Initial swarms in late 2019 and early 2020 moved through Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, laying eggs for the next cycle of locust swarms. Now, that generation has emerged. With each generation, the number of locusts grows—and spreads—exponentially. The Desert Locust (DL) spread in DFSA operation areas may lead to a considerable drop in agricultural production, livestock feed and forest cover, compromising livelihoods and food security in targeted woredas. Although ground and aerial control operations are in progress by MoA and FAO, CRS DFSA’s submitted a proposal to FFP for additional funding to adopt and implement prevention and preparedness measures before the DL outbreak; implement IPM measures during the outbreak; and provide post-recovery assistance to these communities in the form of in-kind and cash resources to replace agricultural and other natural resource assets lost through the DL swarms. This request was approved in Q3 and will be implemented in Q4.

P III: PLW and CU5 have improved nutritional status Purpose III (P III) focused many of its efforts on COVID-19 related responses. First, CRS and partners DFSA teams rapidly procured and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) (like face shields, cloth face masks, and gloves), handwashing and cleaning supplies (alcohol, bleach, soap, jerry cans), and SBC materials (posters, banners, megaphones). These were provided to 309 health facilities (133 MCS, 176 HCS), 254 DA/kebele offices (110 MCS, 144 HCS), 35 partner sub-offices (15 MCS, 20 HCS), and 55 FDPs (31 HCS, 24 MCS), of which 49 were shared DFSA/JEOP FDPs. CRS’ rapid procurement of these materials was imperative to its ability to continue essential project interventions such as food distributions in a safe, responsible manner. These materials further supported the GOE’s COVID-19 response by bolstering the supply of protective equipment, SBC materials, and sanitation supplies available to community-level frontline workers, particularly health workers.

P III staff helped to distribute these materials/supplies, and monitor their proper use at FDPs, and provided COVID-19 related SBC to health clinic (HC) patients, FDP clients, DiNER fair clients, and other community members alongside HEWs. Partner P III staff used megaphones and vehicles to conduct community sensitization on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as well as prevention methods, which was estimated to have reached over 281,910 individuals. P III staff also conducted handwashing and social distancing demonstrations and broadcasted messages about COVID-19 prevention via megaphone at the distributions to sensitize all FDP clients, both male and female.

Another key success from Q3 was the phase 1 launch of an innovative, integrated voice response (IVR) hotline in DFSA woredas, designed to rapidly scale up the reach of USAID and GOE approved COVID-19 related health messages. In Q3, the hotline had 3,565 connected sessions (69% male, 31% female); 2,602 callers listened to an initial message about COVID-19; and 1,136 callers listened to additional detailed messages. An average of 75% of callers answered their COVID-19 comprehension question correctly. Annex 1 details a success story of the IVR hotline. P3 staff demonstrated how to call in to the hotline and navigate the system in order to assist clients less familiar with technology and to complement the other COVID-19 handwashing and social distancing demonstrations and awareness raising done at FDPs.

8 COVID-19 caused large trainings to be postponed in Q3 – for example, planned behavior change counseling training and outpatient therapeutic program (OTP) training. Trainings affected by COVID-19 will be restructured to allow for COVID-19 precautions in FY21. Partner P III staff collaborated with Purpose II staff to deliver Health, Nutrition & WASH SBC messaging about nutrition sensitive agriculture to DiNER Fair recipients. Partners also distributed 1,041 Speaking Books (900 HCS, 141 MCS) with Health, nutrition and WASH messages and oriented recipients on proper care and use. Facility-level interventions that continued despite COVID-19 included 6 supportive supervision visits (5, MCS, 1 HCS) to health facilities to follow-up on use of referral pads and adherence to MCHN protocols. CRS did not reach the target number of supportive supervisions visits due to travel disruptions from COVID-19 related challenges.

Despite successes in responding to the COVID-19 emergency in Q3, P III faced many other challenges posed by COVID-19 which hampered implementation of several, planned interventions. For example, the closure of all schools by the GOE delayed CRS’ and partners’ ability to train teachers in adolescent nutrition and CHAST curricula and set up new school nutrition and WASH clubs. Suspension of public gatherings has affected regular implementation of CLTSH triggering, CCFLS and related cooking sessions as designed (pre-COVID-19). However, follow up of groups who previously completed sessions were done through CHNPs (with HEWs support) and telephone call by the partner’s and CRS staff. During the recent P3 online meeting, we have agreed to continue CCFLS sessions by using the maximum allowed participants with all necessary COVID-19 precautions; we are also liaising with Woredas for flexibility to gather up to 10 people based on their go ahead.

CRS’ DFSA is making progress in the development of 6 drinking water sources - 5 are new spring developments while 1 is a borehole rehabilitation. The springs are found in Melkabelo, Deder and Dire Dawa woredas (HCS) and in Heben Arsi woreda (MCS). The borehole rehabilitation is ongoing in Ziway Dugda woreda (MCS). Among civil works, the following are fully completed: one spring head capping, construction of 13 water points connected to 2 springs, and two 100m3 and 75m3 reservoirs connected to two springs. Spring source/head capping is ongoing in three schemes. Pipeline lay out for all schemes have been also done and pipe laying is started though it is challenged with the current rain and muddy soil conditions. In Ziway Dugda, the well development has been done by removing mud and increasing the depth of one non-functional borehole using a service rig machine.

Community-level interventions that continued despite COVID-19, although in a limited capacity, included promotion of home gardens to the female-headed households or households with a malnourished child under five in DFSA woredas. As such, 597 kitchen gardens have been constructed and planted with different vegetables by 597 HHs (406 Female headed HHs & 191 malnourished HHs). The TVET teachers who were trained earlier by the GSAP team continued supporting latrine makers and have completed 24 demo toilets properly in schools, health posts, and TVET college compounds with separate rooms for boys and girls. In addition, 8 blocks VIP latrines for boys and girls in 4 schools are under construction in MCS woredas and are expected to be completed by Q4 and functional for the upcoming academic year. CRS and GSAP reviewed toilet designs in Q3 to assess accessibility for persons with disabilities and gender considerations and are planning adjustments to ensure demo toilets are more accessible going forward. GSAP job aids currently being finalized also include instructions for handicap accessible toilets.

CRS continued to implement interventions to ensure women from PSNP client households are exempted from public work according to PSNP IV guidelines. Audio toolkits which target mothers and/or care providers on improving nutritional status, service demand creation, prevention of harmful traditional practices, life skill, early marriage, etc. through trained agents have also been used in this quarter. CCL conducted a remote monitoring session targeting the 42 animators (21 HCS, 21 MCS) who were trained on audio toolkit as ground implementers/facilitators. The aim of the monitoring and follow up session was to assess implementation progress update, identify challenges and strengths, and identify ways forward to ensure delivery of consistent and quality session through impactful learning. CCL was also able to gather FY19 audio toolkit progress update data and provide qualitative and quantitative analysis on group and household level interventions. The results are detailed at two levels: the lives touched through the “group” and the “household” level interventions. There are 106 audio groups reached through the FY19 implementation and the actual number of lives touched is 2,553

9 (1130M, 1,423F). The Household level implementation is whereby the members of audio toolkit group that have completed their audio toolkit learning have begun to listen the drama at household level with their families, friends, and neighbors. This is the initiative taken as part of the strategy to enhance experience sharing, cascade learning and help secondary adaptation. 393 individuals (200 MCS, 193 HCS) lead the household level intervention and were able to cascade their experience with friends, family members, neighbors and member of the community reaching 4,449 individuals (2,223M and 2226F).

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning CRS’ DFSA completed a review of its theory of change. Given COVID-19 constraints, the exercise was held remotely and included two sessions held on separate days for each purpose. A third session will be held in July to ensure collective understanding of the TOC changes by all team members and to strengthen integration. CRS DFSA continued with annual survey planning process scheduled for quarter 3 of FY 2020. The plan looks at the various suggested changes that will be made as an adaptation to the survey process in the context of COVID-19. CRS will share a revised scope of work addressing these changes during the first week of August 2020.

CRS also conducted mapping and monitoring of social and economic infrastructure. CRS field-based MEAL staff working with HCS and MCS staff conducted this exercise by visiting all infrastructures projects and completing the registration, tracking and quality review checklist. 90% of the infrastructure had been mapped by the time violence erupted. CRS MEAL staff will hold a meeting with technical staff to complete the mapping exercise by administering the respective quality verification checklists in July.

CRS completed a post distribution monitoring (PDM) fair for the first and second rounds of food distribution. This was a special PDM because the distribution was done with double distributions and was started soon after the end of the cash transfers. Furthermore, CRS made many adaptations to the distribution process to align it to CRS’ COVID-19 containment measures and the GOE state of emergency guidelines. The woreda level MEAL experts telephoned the sample clients with mobile phones and administered the PDM questionnaires. The data was entered directly to the CommCare application. This approach ensured minimal contact with participants. The data was synchronized seven times a day to ensure that the MEAL team in Addis had almost real-time access to the interview results. During the distributions, CRS field staff collected phone numbers from commodity recipients who were willing to be interviewed after the distribution. CRS also set-up PowerBi visuals to aid in the visualization of the results for management use. The visuals can be accessed through this link.

DFSA continued with routine monitoring during COVID-19. CRS field-based MEAL staff worked with partners to conduct routine monitoring visits to project sites and administered quality verification checklists. In this regard, the team visited more than 112 infrastructure projects for mapping and quality verification. This process will be followed by reflection with staff on the quality of selected infrastructure projects leading to a quality improvement action plan. Other routine monitoring interventions included collection of commodity data at the FDPs using a COVID-19 modified approach. The new approaches used by the implementing partners ensured that DFSA participants washed their hands before and after using thumb prints, had sufficient, information about COVID-19 and fully met the social distancing requirement. DFSA MEAL team assessed the level of satisfaction by activity participants on the availability and implementation of COVID-19 containment measures at FDPs using the PDM. 94% of the participants interviewed expressed satisfaction with physical distancing measures while 89% were satisfied with handwashing measures. Ongoing mentorship to CRS and partner staff continued through weekly team meetings using MS Teams. These meetings helped to discuss progress and mobilize for any support needed by field teams. Support that field teams requested and received through these meetings included safe transportation to field site and adequate internet supply. CRS modified its approach to implementing feedback and response mechanisms by reducing the use of committees and increasing use of the IVR hotline number. A CRS accountability staff called and tracked cases reported through the IVR on a weekly basis and held meetings with implementing partner staff to address the issues raised by project participants. CRS also conducted monthly functionality assessment of feedback and

10 response mechanisms. The major issue noted during the functionality assessment was delayed synchronizing of feedback from Deder woreda. This issue was discussed with the service provider, Viamo, and resolved. While participants were impressed with the social distancing and the handwashing practices deployed at the FDPs, distances to/from FDPs and waiting time while at the FDPs continued to be a challenge. To address the waiting time at FDPs, CRS worked with IPs to limit the number of clients at FDPs on at any point in time so that only those who can be served by 3pm could come for each day. The PDM was useful in recommending improvements in provision of the 3rd round of commodity distributions. The next PDM is scheduled for July and August 2020 and will help in advising implementation during FY 2021 as well as identifying any areas of immediate follow-up. iv) Challenges

• COVID-19 containment measures were a cross-cutting issue across all purpose teams. It affected the conduct of training, staff presence in some field locations, resource transfers, monitoring visits and training interventions. As the restrictions became clearer, they also offered opportunity for innovation as they created a new normal under which staff had to operate. DFSA leveraged its existing investment in technology to mount a successful IVRT platform for COVID-19 messaging, conduct PDMs surveys remotely using phone and CommCare, and implement interventions with partners using social media platforms such as Skype and MS teams. • School closure restricted the implementation of interventions linked with in-school children and youth. • Regular meeting with project participants and respective sector offices limited information exchange especially on GBV/HTP incidences, especially in the 1st and 2nd months of the Q3. • Delay in preparation of payroll by Dire Dawa Administration to public work clients caused delays in food distribution in FDPs of Dire Dawa. These were resolved following CRS engagement with the Federal Food Security Directorate. • Local government experts were busy with preparedness planning and responding to COVID-19 which led, initially at least and understandably, to a reduced focus/support around DFSA’s planned interventions. CRS held discussions on how to complement local woreda administrations’ COVID-19 efforts while successfully also getting support around DFSA planned interventions. v) Market Analysis

In Oromia, prices of staple foods were higher in 2020 compared to similar months of FY 2019. There was an average increase of 20% with maize being the most affected in June with an increase of 30% from in June 2020 compared to June 2019. This price increases are a demonstration of the high inflation and its impact on the purchasing power of PSNP households. The average prices for staple crops during quarter three FY 2020 were ETB 1,239 for maize, ETB 1,515 for sorghum and ETB 1,688 for wheat. In 2020, prices were highest in June and showed an upward trend between April and June. A similar trend was seen with prices for shoat with pricing averaging 17% higher than 2019. During Quarter 3, average price for Shoat was ETB 1,550. Unlike 2019 when prices showed an upward trend between May and June, in 2020, the prices fell from ETB 1510 in May 2020 to ETB 1,360 in June 2020. Dire Dawa market early warning system data was interrupted by technical issues thus giving inconsistent information. CRS is working with HCS to address the issue and will be addressed in the July early warning report. vi) Planned Q4 Interventions

SP X 1. Disseminate functional literacy (FAL) booklets to project participants 2. Continue adult and youth CCG discussions 3. Undertake beneficiary workshop in TFH/IFH to volunteer couples 4. Workshop with key stakeholder institutionalizing youth volunteerism in existing youth centers with limited # (up to 10) of participants

11 5. Support international youth day organization through different interventions (in line with COVID-19 restrictions and with woreda administration support/approvals) 6. Strengthening One Stop Center and youth development centers through database system

Purpose 1. 1. Conduct remote coaching and monitoring on Leadership and Communication training impact using phone in HCS WFSTF members. 2. Provision of training on Leadership and Communication Essential to Deder woreda of FSTF members by adhering COVID19 protocol. 3. Quarterly review meeting will be conducted by partners with woreda DFSA staff at HQ level. 4. Quarterly joint monitoring on PW sub-projects implementation status will be conducted with zonal and woreda PW technical committees. 5. Continue supervision of construction of social and economic infrastructures. 6. Complete food distribution of PW, PDS and 5 % contingency clients in the remaining DFSA woredas. Purpose 2 1. Conduct review meeting with government (zonal & LICU) & DFSA livelihoods staff 2. Conduct woreda level LEW review meetings 3. Identify and award role model women for LEWs 4. Identify and award role model women in SILC, Marketing and LF/LH 5. Facilitate market linkage to MGs 6. Establish new agro-dealers and support agro-dealers in business plan development and MFI linkages 7. Facilitation of linkage of LG members to agro-dealers 8. Link certified FAs (PSP) to agro-dealers 9. Promote/demonstrate improved Crop technologies and practices, improved Livestock technologies and practices, and improved NRM technologies and practices

Purpose 3 1. Continue providing technical and materials/resource support to partner’s effort to respond to COVID-19 pandemic 2. Mobilize community-level actors, such as HEWs, CHNPs, CAs and other volunteers to continue household and kebele-level Health, Nutrition and WASH interventions 3. Support health facilities level CMAM, Primary Health care and quality service delivery programs through the partners and trained WHO staff 4. Finalize distribution of speaking books to targeted groups 5. Finalize procurement and distributions of vegetable seeds and stabilization center materials. 6. WASH infrastructure: Finish construction and pipelaying on water source development, install generator and pump on bore hole rehabilitated, and completing construction of VIP latrines in schools 7. ODF status verification in kebeles reported closer to ODF in previous quarters 8. Sanitary survey and mitigation measures on schemes identified with total coliform 9. Continued provision of operation and maintenance tools for WASHCOs 10. Assessment on woredas capacity on undertaking water quality assessment and management

MEAL 1. Annual Participant Base Survey 2. Commodity and DiNER fair PDMs 3. Routine data quality assessment 4. Complete mapping and quality assessment of all social and economic infrastructure 5. Quality assessment of health facility using the health facility integrated checklist 6. Support completion of two learning initiatives (1. IWM assessment, 2. CC Group Assessment). vii) Success Stories

12 See Annex 1

i. Local and Regional Purchase Commodity (LRP) Not applicable

ii. Cash Transfer and Food Vouchers Not applicable

iii. Loss Reporting CRS was made aware of a potential shortage of 37 bags of wheat (estimated value US$700) in CRS’ Dire Dawa PDP towards the end of Q3. CRS’ Logistics team is reviewing this (unrest in late June and early July delayed this review).

i. Commodity Quality and Safety Not applicable this quarter

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