Food for the Hungry Ethiopia Development Food Security Activity
Targeted Response for Agriculture, Income and Nutrition Project
Year II Third Quarter Report April 1 to June 30, 2018
Submission Date: July 31, 2018
[Contract/Agreement] Number: [AID-FFP-A-16-00007] Activity Start Date and End Date: Sep 30, 2016 – Sep 29, 2021 [COR/AOR] Name: Cliff Davison
Submitted by: Anthony E. Koomson Senior Director for Public Resources 1001 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 1115, Washington, DC 20036 Tel: 202-480-2540 Email: [email protected]
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW/SUMMARY
Targeted Response for Agriculture, Income and Nutrition Program Name:
Activity Start Date And End Date: Sep 30, 2016 – Sep 29, 2021 Name of Prime Implementing Partner: Food for the Hungry
[Contract/Agreement] Number: AID-FFP-A-16-00007 Name of Subcontractors/Sub- Amhara Credit and Saving Institution, Amhara Development awardees: Association, and Search For Common Ground Major Counterpart Organizations Regional, Zonal and District level Government Line Offices Ethiopia, Amhara Regional State, Seven Districts [Lay Gayint, Geographic Coverage Tach Gayint, Sedi-Muja, Simada, Abergele, Sahila and Ziquala. Reporting Period: April 1 to June 30, 2018
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Table of Contents 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW/SUMMARY ...... II LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ...... III ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... IV 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 1 3. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS...... 1 3.1 PROGRESS NARRATIVE ...... 1 3.2 IMPLEMENTATION STATUS ...... 2 3.3 COLLABORATION LEARNING AND ADAPTATION ...... 22 3.4 IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES ...... 23 3.5 MONITORING AND EVALUATION UPDATE ...... 24 4. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES ...... 24 4.1 GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMALE EMPOWERMENT ...... 24 4.2 SUSTAINABILITY MECHANISMS ...... 25 4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ...... 25 4.4 GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 25 4.5 POLICY AND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT ...... 25 4.6 LOCAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ...... 26 5. STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT ...... 26 6. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES ...... 26 7. LESSON LEARNED ...... 26 8. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER INCLUDING UPCOMING EVENTS ...... 27 9. HOW IMPLEMENTING PARTNER HAS ADDRESSED A/COR COMMENTS FROM THE LAST QUARTERLY REPORT ...... 27 10. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ...... 27 11. SUCCESS STORIES ...... 27
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
TABLE 1 AREAS CONSERVED AS A RESULT OF SWC ACTIVITIES BY QUARTER...... 3 FIGURE 1: STONE BUND CONSTRUCTION IN ABERELE AND SEDI-MUJA ...... 4 FIGURE 2: HEALTH POST CONSTRUCTION IN TACH GAYINT ...... 7 FIGURE 3: CONSTRUCTION OF VET POST IN SIMADA AND LAY GAYINT ...... 7 FIGURE 4: BENEFICIARIES OF LIVELIHOOD TRANSFER IN SAHILA AND ABERGELE ...... 9 TABLE 2 IRRIGATION SCHEMES BY WOREDA ...... 10 FIGURE 5: IRRIGATION CANAL CONSTRUCTION IN LAY GAYINT ...... 10 FIGURE 6: IRRIGATION SCHEME UPGRADING IN SIMADA AND TACH GAYINT ...... 11 FIGURE 7: SMALL MASONRY DAM AND CATTLE TROUGH IN KEBELE 13 OF TACH GAYINT ...... 11 FIGURE 8: TRAINING FOR IRRIGATION USERS ON AGRONOMIC PRACTICES IN ABERGELE ...... 12 TABLE 3 QUANTITY OF COMMODITIES DISPATCHED TO BY TYPE AND WOREDA ...... 13 TABLE 4 QUANTITY OF COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTED TO BENEFICIARIES BY TYPE AND WOREDA ...... 13 FIGURE 9: CASH TRANSFER PERFORMANCE IN LAY GAYINT AND TACH GAYINT ...... 14 TABLE 5 ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD TRAINING BY TYPE ...... 15 FIGURE 10: SHG MEMBERS MEETING AND SAVING SESSION IN SEDI_MUJA ...... 15 FIGURE 11: WHDAS TRAINING ON ENA SESSIONS IN SIMADA ...... 18 FIGURE 12: MOTHER-TO-MOTHER SESSION IN TACH GAYINT ...... 18 FIGURE 13: TRIGGERING EVENT BY A CLTS COMMITTEE IN SEDI-MUJA ...... 21 FIGURE 14: CELEBRATION OF ODF IN TACH GAYINT ...... 21
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACSI Amhara Credit and Saving Institution ANRS Amhara National Regional State CCA Climate Change Adaptation CG Care Group CLA Collaboration Learning and Adaptation CLAME Collaboration Learning and Adaptation Monitoring and Evaluation CLTS Community Led Total Sanitation CLTSH Community Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene CSA Climate Smart Agriculture DA Development Agent DFAP Development Food Aid Program DFSA Development Food Security Activity DM Disaster Management DRR Disaster Risk Reduction ENA Essential Nutrition Action EW Early Warning FDP Final Distribution Point FHH Female Headed Household FTC Farmers Training Center FY Fiscal Year GoE Government of Ethiopia GOG Gender Outreach Group Ha Hectare HEW Health Extension Worker HH Household HNA Health and Nutrition Animators IO Intermediate Outcome JRIS Joint Review Implementation Support Kg Kilogram Km Kilometer LG Livelihood Group MCHN Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition MIL Mother-in-law MoFEC Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation MoLSA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs MT Metric Ton NGO Non-Governmental Organization ODF Open Defecation Free ORDA Organization for Rehabilitation and Development of Amhara PD Person Day PIM Programme Implementation Manual PLW Pregnant and Lactating Women PSNP Productive Safety Net Programme PW Public Work RH Reproductive Health RuSACCO Rural Saving and Credit Cooperative SBCC Social and Behavior Change Communication SHG Self Help Group SMS Subject Matter Specialist SWC Soil and Water Conservation ToT Training of Trainer TRAIN Targeted Response for Agriculture, Income and Nutrition TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training WASH Water Sanitation and Hygiene WHDA Women Health Development Army WOANR Woreda Office of Agriculture and Natural Resource WRA Women of Reproductive Age WVE World Vision Ethiopia
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2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) Targeted Response for Agriculture, Income and Nutrition Project (TRAIN) project is currently operational in seven chronically food insecure Woredas of Amhara Regional state: Lay Gayint, Tach Gayint, Sedi-Muja, and Simada in South-Gondar zone; and Abergele, Sahila and Ziquala in Wag- Himra Zone. On the request of the Regional Government and approval of FFP, three additional Woredas were added during the second year. These are Ebinat and Meketewa Woredas from South Gondar and East Belessa Woreda from North Gondar. Operations in these Woredas are limited to food distribution activities. The overall goal of TRAIN is to enhance resilience to shocks and livelihoods and to improve food security and nutrition for rural households (HHs) vulnerable to food insecurity, with four purposes, associated sub-purposes and intermediate outcomes (IOs).
3. ACTIVITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
3.1 Progress Narrative
Below are highlights of the overall project progress during the reporting quarter. Details are narrated under the implementation status section. In general, the project is on track as far as annual targets are concerned.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): During the quarter under review, all 67 target communities prepared their disaster management (DM) and DRR plans. A total of 264 (102% of year target) community leaders were also trained in DRR plan development and management.
Soil and water conservation (SWC) activities: An estimated total of 1996 ha of land was covered with different SWC activities using Public Work (PW) labor during the quarter. This represents about one fourth (24.7%) of the cumulative areas of land conserved as a result of the SWC activities in the past three quarters.
Social infrastructure: Of the six social infrastructures planned to be constructed in the reporting year, four of them are near completion as detailed in the following sections of the report. Status of construction of two of the structures (Temporary Child Care Centers, and before and after birth resting room), however, is about 40% complete, with foundation/ substructure work finalized.
Trainings: A range of trainings were conducted in the reporting quarter. FH was able to reach the annual target with most of them while a few will be completed in the coming quarter.
Cash transfer: TRAIN reached 95% and 97% of the beneficiaries in Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint with cash transfers, respectively. The total number of cash recipients is 16,222 in Lay Gayint and 15,550 in Tach Gayint with a total cash disbursement of 28,667,355.00 birr and 29,499,295.00 birr, respectively.
Food distribution: A total of 10,129.20 MT of food was transferred to 211,327 (101,869 male, 109,458 female) beneficiaries of the then target Woredas, including the three expansion Woredas.
Irrigation schemes: Of all planned irrigation schemes, river diversion, irrigation scheme upgrading, and construction of 15 hand-dug wells were completed; whereas dam construction is at 93%. More than 217.55 ha of land have been put under irrigation as a result of the river diversion work. A total of 758 HH will benefit from the irrigation schemes, of which 14.5% are FHH and 47.4% are Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) HHs.
Saving practice: All Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed (417, 90% of annual target) during the reporting year have started saving. Over the course of the year, $3,230 has been saved. During the quarter, 43 SHGs with 714 memberships were established, and
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they have been able to save $539.4. Additionally 210 livelihood groups (LGs) have been established (91% of annual target) and have started saving in their Rural Saving and Credit Cooperative (RuSACCO) accounts amounting to $7,619.
Guarantee fund: Of the total guarantee loan fund transferred ($358,200) in the quarter, $190,438.56 (53%) was disbursed to 973 target beneficiaries through RuSACCOs.
Gender Outreach Group (GOG): In the reporting year, 1,148 community discussion sessions were completed (80% of the target).
Health and nutrition: Modular lessons involving Essential Nutrition Action (ENA) continued to be delivered over the past months. Out of 17 lessons planned to be covered within the fiscal year, 12 lessons (70.6%) were completed in the reporting quarter.
3.2 Implementation Status
This section narrates the accomplishment status of major activities against the plan.
Purpose 1: Improved Resilience of HHs/Communities to Shocks
This purpose addresses the absorptive and adaptive capacities of communities in general and HHs in particular toward any minor climatic shock and its impact. The accomplishment status of the activities planned under the purpose is explained in detail as follows:
SP 1.1: Improved relevance, function, responsiveness of existing/new DRR Committees IO 1.1.1: Enhanced use of national and regional early warning (EW) at Kebele level DRR committee members training: This training was not planned for this quarter as in the second quarter, 285 members of 43 DRR committees were trained (99% of the annual target). Nevertheless, three project sites (Lay Gayint, Sedi-Muja and Ziquala) did not conduct the training then. In the reporting quarter, 143 members of 24 DRR committees were trained on DRR. Of the participants, 54 (37.8%) were female and 32 (22.38%) were youth.
The accomplishment of DRR committee training to date (428) exceeded the annual target (149% of target). The over achievement was mainly attributed to the need for more people to be trained for the follow up exercise of DRR assessment and preparation of prevention and mitigation plans.
Preparation of Kebele DM and DRR plans: The quarter plan was to facilitate preparation of DM and DRR plans for 67 communities. Accordingly, 35 DRR committees (52% of target) conducted DRR assessments and prepared the plans during the quarter under review. The under achievement was because 32 DRR committees had completed their plans in the previous quarter and the annual target was already met by the accomplishment in the quarter (67 DRR committees). The DM plans outlined the hazards, action plans, and mitigation measures for emergencies.
Establish Local Coordination Mechanisms: Local coordination meetings between Kebele and Woreda DRR committees were conducted on a monthly basis. Twenty-one sessions were planned for the quarter. Accordingly, all seven Woredas (100%) conducted the meetings. The discussion points included due dates for sharing EW information, strengthening Kebele DRR committees, reporting, documentation of EW information, and other key discussion topics. A total of 426 individuals participated in the sessions, of whom 121 (28.4%) were female.
Organize Quarterly Meetings: Seven meetings were planned during the quarter across the seven project sites, and all of them took place (214 male; 86 females participated in the meetings). The participants comprised of experts from education, health, water, livestock, crop production and EW case teams. In addition, EW committee representatives from 56 target Kebeles participated in the meetings. Discussion points during the meetings included potable water inaccessibility for both for human and animal use, current situation of agronomic activities, pest and diseases situation, livestock feed
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and fodder conditions, major cause of high school dropout rates, human diseases (especially scabies) and livestock diseases and nutrition issues such as Moderate Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition.
IO 1.1.2. Increased motivation of Kebele leaders Translation of FH's Community Leaders Training Curriculum: This activity was planned for the first quarter; however, it was delayed due to the long process of translation by consultants. The plan was to print and distribute 1,200 booklets. In the reporting quarter, 1,060 booklets (88.3%) were distributed to government offices and Kebele EW committee members as well as community leaders.
Community Leaders Training (on Leadership, Community Transformation, and DRR and Project Planning): This activity was carried over from the second quarter in which it was planned to train 260 community leaders. In the reporting quarter, 264 community leaders (101.5% of the annual target) were trained. Of the total participants, 29 (11%) of the individuals were female. Representation of women is low because the existing leadership has low number of women. Training topics included community transformation cycle, leadership, community disaster risk assessment and management concepts and planning concepts and techniques.
S P 1.2: Improved conservation of watersheds IO 1.2.1 Improved SWC This IO involves a range of bio-physical SWC measures. These measures are geared toward curbing soil erosion and conserving more moisture. The bio-physical conservation structures performed in the reporting quarter against the plan are described in details as follows. A. Physical conservation measures Various physical SWC structures were constructed during the reporting quarter. As a result, an estimated total of 1,996 ha of land was covered with different SWC structures using PW labor to mitigate soil erosion. This represents a quarter (24.7%) of the cumulative areas of land conserved as a result of the SWC activities in the past three quarters. The following table presents a summary of land conserved by quarter.
Table 1 Areas conserved as a result of SWC activities by quarter
The watersheds on which the physical structures are constructed consisted of both private and communal lands.
Physical structures constructed on private land
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Soil/Stone bund construction: In the reporting quarter, construction of 16 km and 87 km of soil bunds and stone bunds were planned. Using PW labor, a total of 53.33 km of soil bund (333%) and 17.22 km stone bund (20%) were constructed (Fig. 1). Part of the PW labor allocated for stone bund was shifted to soil bund construction resulting in over accomplishment for soil bund and an under achievement of stone bund. Selection of the type and size of the structures is dictated by the topography and workable soil depth of the area where the structures are constructed. At times more of one structure is required than the other Figure 1: Stone Bund Construction in Aberele and Sedi-Muja depending on the topography of a specific area.
About 88 ha of land is covered with the two conservation structures.
Bench terrace construction: Construction of 28 km of bench terraces was planned for the quarter and 30.63 km (109 % of the plan) was accomplished. The terraces were leveled along the contour in dry to moist agro-ecological zones of operational areas. They are spaced with a vertical interval, which is two-and-a-half times the depth of re- workable soil. An estimated total of 23 ha of land was conserved during the quarter.
Physical structures on communal lands Hillside Terrace: It was planned to construct 370.43 km of hillside terrace on heavily degraded lands to prevent damage from flooding areas at the foot of steep slopes. A total of 343.52 km (92.74 %) was constructed. The structures will help to retain runoff and is effective to conserve water and sediments on lands with steep slopes (Fig 3). The conserved moistures and sediments create favorable condition to grow multipurpose trees including fodder. It is estimated that 171.8 ha of land was conserved as a result.
Micro-basin construction: The plan for the quarter was to construct 14,406 micro- basins on all range of slopes and soil types except highly degraded lands. Accordingly, 16,035 micro basins (111%) were constructed. The over achievement is mainly attributed to the fact that watersheds in Lay Gayint had to construct more micro-basins which were not constructed in the previous quarter. The micro basins will have multiple positive effects. In moist areas, they are used as a medium in which tree/fodder are planted whereas in dry areas they are used to harvest water. As a result of constructed micro-basins, about 17 ha of land is conserved.
Hillside terrace construction combined with trench: For the quarter 118 km of hillside terraces combined with trench was planned for areas with steep slopes (up to 50% slope) and shallow to medium depth soils. In the quarter, 109.93 km of such combined structures (93% of the plans) were constructed. As the result, 32.98 ha of land was conserved in the quarter.
Eyebrow basin construction: These are larger circular and stone faced conservation structures in which trees can be planted. The plan was to construct 8,860 eyebrow basins, and a total of 8,207 eyebrow basins (93%) were constructed in selected areas of the communal land. An estimated 10 ha of land was conserved as a result of these structures.
Water collection trench (percolation pits construction): It was planned to construct 37,970 water collection trenches which are critical to collect the runoff in the rainy season. A total of 49,823 structures (131% of the plan) were constructed during the
FH Ethiopia_DFSA_ FY’18 Quarter III Narrative Report 4 quarter. The over accomplishment is due to additional structures constructed to compensate for the low achievement in the second quarter. In the reporting quarter, Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint carried out beyond their plan by drawing some PDs from hillside terrace to trench construction. As a result of construction of this structure, 119.5 ha of land is estimated to have been protected.
Area closure: In order to improve and rehabilitate degraded land, 600 ha of area closure was planned in the quarter. A total of 1,512.8 ha of land (252% of plan) was closed to protect from livestock and human interference. This over accomplishment was mainly due to initiation by the local government and respective communities to close more areas of land beyond the initial plan. This accomplishment compensates for under achievement of the first quarter due to the delay from the continuous and prolonged discussion about area closure had to be made with local communities.
Check dams: During the reporting quarter, the project planned to construct 20,837 m3 stone and 1,382 m3 gabion check dams in the quarter. Accordingly, a total of 22,728 m3 stone (109%) and 1,195 m3 gabion check dams (86%) were constructed on identified gully sites. In addition, 100 m3 of brushwood check dams were constructed in Lay Gayint Woreda. Accomplishment of gabion check dam construction is lower in this quarter because gabion wires were distributed late in Ziquala Woreda due to logistical reasons.
Cut of drains: During the reporting period, 866 m3 cut-off drains were constructed to intercept and divert the surface runoff from higher ground (slopes) and protect downstream cultivated land and villages. A total of 3,442.49 m3 cut-off drains (398% of plan) were constructed. The over achievement was due to the fact that most of the watersheds where the natural resource management activities are implemented in the quarter demanded construction of cut-off drains. In addition, considerable number of PW participants were unable to work on cut-off drain as they were engaged in free mass mobilization during the second quarter. This PW labor had to be shifted to this quarter resulting in overachievement.
B. Biological SWC measures Biological measures combined with physical SWC structures contribute significantly to preventing erosion and conserving soil and water. Biological measures prevent splash erosion, reduce the velocity of surface runoff, and facilitate accumulation of soil particles which increases infiltration. Realizing its importance, the project promotes bio-physical SWC practices detailed below.
Forestry, Agroforestry and Forage development TRAIN planned to raise a total of 25,123,000 tree, fruit and fodder seedlings across the operation areas (except Abergele Woreda). The seedlings are meant to be planted on the watersheds and private farmlands. In the reporting quarter, tree, fruit and fodder seedlings were raised in the central nursery sites. Details are provided below.
Forest/fodder tree seedlings: In the third quarter, the project planned to raise a total of 10 million tree/fodder seedlings in the centrally managed nursery sites. About 11.99 million seedlings (120% of the plan) were raised in the reporting quarter.
Fruit tree seedling production: TRAIN planned to raise a total of 40,000 fruit seedlings and produced 46,560 seedlings in Simada and Sedi-Muja Woreda (116% of the quarter plan).
Tree or fodder seed purchase/collection: There was no plan to collect and purchase tree and/ or fodder seeds in the reporting quarter. Nevertheless, a total of 256 kg tree/fodder seeds were purchased and collected in Sahila. Of the total, 219 kg (85.55%) seeds were collected locally. The remaining 37 kg seeds were purchased from regional town, Bahir Dar.
Pit preparation for plantation: It was planned to prepare a total of 25 million pits, out of which 24.08 million pits (95.84% of the plan) were excavated and prepared for seedling plantation on the constructed conservation structures. Tree planting will be carried out early in the coming quarter (July, 2018).
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Handover watersheds to user groups: Within the reporting quarter, four watersheds were handed over to landless youth who were organized into user groups (100% of the quarter plan). The handover was done on the land management conference jointly organized by FH and WoANR. This will enable the youth to engage in various income generating activities such as beekeeping over the coming seasons. These youth groups were supported to establish and enforce their own bylaws with which all members should be governed. Accordingly, eight user groups developed their own local bylaws (100%) and it is being used by the respective user groups in Tach Gayint, Simada and Sedi-Muja Woredas. Additionally, facilitation of land certification for four user groups was carried out in the quarter.
Establish forest management committee: Four forest management committees were established in Tach Gayint Woreda as per the plan.
IO1.2.2 Improved community and HH capacity on SWC practices Nursery forewomen/men training on nursery management: Nursery management training was conducted for 11 trainees (5 female). Training topics included methods of seed collection, seed drying, seed bed preparation, how to proportionally mix soil, sand and compost to make suitable environment for germination and growth of seedlings, how to sow seeds, watering, shading, labor management, and transplanting of seedlings.
Farmers training on private nursery management: Nursery management training was given to 26 farmers who own private nurseries in Sahila. Of the participants, six individuals were female (from female headed HH (FHH)). This training was supposed to be carried out in the first quarter but was postponed to the third quarter due to tight schedules of trainers at the time.
Gabion box provision: The quarter plan was to provide 27 gabion boxes for Woredas. A total of 335 gabion boxes (1241%) were delivered for gully treatment and retention works in irrigation sub-projects. The over achievement is because Ziquala Agriculture office raised a demand for 335 m3 of gabion boxes.
Climate change adaptation (CCA) training for community representatives: During the quarter, it was planned to provide training to 20 community representatives on CCA. Accordingly, a total of 21 (3 women) community representatives (105%) received the training. The training included the general concept, impact and mitigation of climate change, vulnerability, coping, sensitivity adaptive capacity, climate risk management, strategy and planning for climate change adaptation, and the community adaptation plan.
Training on participatory forest management: It was planned to provide training for 32 government staff on participatory forest management and a total of 47 (10 women) government staff (147%) received the training. The over achievement is due to the fact that Ziquala project provided the training in this quarter though it was planned to be carried out during the second quarter. The participatory forest management practices covered by the training include types of forest, community ownership of forest, utilization of forest product, contribution of community and government on forest management.
IO 1.2.3: Improved access to social infrastructures Under this outcome various construction activities that were started in the second quarter continued. The progress of each is discussed as follows.
Increased access to basic services In the reporting quarter, the foundation trench excavation was completed and rubble masonry work for the sub-structures were started for school classrooms; labor, delivery and recovery rooms; Farmers Training Centers (FTCs), human health and veterinary posts. Besides, hollow concrete block piling and finishing works (plastering and ceiling work) were completed for human health post in Tach Gayint for which the construction was started in first year of TRAIN.
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School classroom construction: During this quarter, construction of two classrooms, one each in Sedi-Muja and Tach Gayint reached 95% completion. Remaining tasks include fixing doors and windows and painting.
Additionally, construction of one school classroom block in Abergele that started in this quarter has progressed to top-tie beam stage, reaching 80% of the entire work. Carpentry work on roof, fixing doors and windows, ceiling work and painting of the walls will be finalized during the quarter.
Furniture support for schools and training hall: It was planned to purchase and distribute 127 combined desks for schools in coordination with respective education offices in Sahila, Abergele and Simada. In the quarter, 97 combined desks (76%) were bought and the remaining quantity is under process.
Human health post construction: The construction of two human health posts continued during the reporting quarter. The health posts are located in Tach Gayint (Kebele 12) and Ziquala (Kebele 10).
In Tach Gayint, finishing work such as painting, fixing doors and windows as well as construction of drainage ditch, ventilated improved pit latrine, guard house, staff living room with kitchen and compound fencing was completed (100%) during the quarter. The human health post is expected to serve a total of 4,339 beneficiaries (2,161 are female).
Figure 2: Health Post Construction in Tach Gayint
In Ziquala, both the sub and superstructure construction is 96% complete. Finishing work for this health post (ceiling, painting, fixing doors and windows) will be completed in the next quarter. The health post will provide service to 2,480 beneficiaries (about 51% female) as indicated in the second quarter report.
Veterinary post construction: There are three veterinary posts under construction during the reporting year. In Simada, construction of one vet post has been completed. The veterinary posts in Lay Gayint and Sedi-Muja have reached 95%. Painting and the fixing doors and windows are the only activities yet to be completed. These activities will be completed in the coming quarter. Starting from next year, the three veterinary posts will provide service for livestock belonging to 5,305 HHs (1,431 FHHs) who are dwelling in the three Kebeles and other communities adjacent to them. The construction included living rooms for veterinary technicians and cattle crash closer to each veterinary post.
Figure 3: Construction of vet post in Simada and Lay Gayint
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Before and after birth resting room: Labor delivery and recovery rooms were constructed in existing health facility. During the second quarter, foundation work/substructure (40%) for the three waiting rooms was completed in Sahila Woreda. In this reporting quarter, superstructure construction continued and all parts of the construction for the super structure is completed except painting (wall and ceil), cement tiling, door and window fixing. All remaining tasks will be finalized in the fourth quarter. An estimated total of 134 pregnant mothers will receive before and after birth services every year from this facility. The facility is located in the health center compound in Sahila.
FTC construction: It was planned to construct four FTCs and almost all are close to completion (97%). Masonry foundation was started for three FTCs at Simada (2) and Sedi-Muja (1) in the second quarter. In this reporting quarter, the three FTCs were completed and the one which was started recently in Sedi-Muja has reached over 80%. The walls of all the FTCs are constructed with corrugated iron sheet and reinforced concrete columns are erected at three meter intervals for future replacement with hollow concrete blocks. These FTCs will have their own role in creating conducive environment for providing different trainings in connection with disseminating agricultural technologies. A total of 6,760 HHs (1,986 FHHs) will have an opportunity to partake in training on different agriculture training topics and other services as a result of the construction of these four FTCs in the four Kebeles of Simada and Sedi-Muja.
Purpose 2: Increased Availability of Safe, Diverse, Nutritious and High-Value Foods SP 2.1: Increased production of safe, diverse, nutritious and high-value foods This sub-purpose contributes to improving availability of food through support to the agricultural extension strategy of the country by strengthening local FTCs and building the capacity of development agents (DAs). FTCs are central to deliver tailored and practical trainings to the targeted HHs. Details are discussed below.
IO 2.1.1: Increased adoption of appropriate crop technologies Improved high value seed provision for demonstration: In the reporting period, purchase of 120 kg of vegetable seeds was planned. A total 46 kg of improved vegetable seeds (38% of the plan) were purchased for demonstration in Lay Gayint, Simada and Ziquala project sites. The vegetable seeds include 18 kg of carrot, 5.5 kg of swiss chard, 7.5 kg tomato, and 3 kg of pepper, 7 kg of pumpkin and 5 kg of cabbage. The seeds were distributed to 16 FTCs. The under accomplishment is mainly due to the fact that part was accomplished earlier in the second quarter.
Introduce improved storages: This activity was not planned in the quarter. Nevertheless, three improved storages were introduced at three FTCs (two in Simada and one in Sedi-Muja). The activity was carried out in the quarter to compensate for the under accomplishment of the previous quarter.
In the reporting period, a total of 713 individuals (388 male and 325 female) attended demonstration lessons in Simada using the two storages. The participants were introduced to the benefits of this type of storage bin, namely, that it can keep stored grains free of pests as long as the storage is closed for 21 days without opening.
Provide trainings for Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) and DAs on CSA and effective use of training materials: This activity was not planned for this quarter; however, a need arose to include natural resource experts other than crop and livestock experts in the training to keep the entire DA team on the same page so they can support farmers in a multidisciplinary way. To this effect, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) training was organized for 77 DAs and SMSs (54 male and 23 female) on basic concepts and practices of CSA. The training is in the process of cascading to project participants. The CSA practices included conservation farming, row planting, proper tillage, intercropping, crop rotation, composting, integrated pest management and controlled grazing.
ToT for health and livelihood animators and DAs on various improved agricultural techniques: This activity was carried over from previous quarter. The ToT was provided for 58 (35 male and 23 female) participants, Das, health and livelihood animators over
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three days on the concepts of CSA, CCA, selected crop production practices of CSA such as conservation agriculture, intercropping, crop rotation, organic agriculture, integrated pest and disease management practices for selected crops grown in the target area. The concept of keyhole gardening was the main focus of the training.
IO 2.1.2: Increased sustainable access to inputs for crop production Train lead farmers: TRAIN is organizing LGs on selected sub-sectors based on the potentials and interest of the target groups. Even though there was no plan for the quarter, 61 lead farmers who did not participate in LGs in the previous quarter were provided with training on improved agricultural techniques/practices focusing on the respective selected sub-sectors. Of these, nine (14.8%) are female farmers. It is expected that the lead farmers will cascade the training to their fellow members in the Lead Farmer Group. FH will follow up and provide support to ensure proper cascading of the training. The training focused on various concepts and advantage of LG organization for better production and product marketing, improved techniques of crop and animal production, beekeeping and vegetable home gardening practices.
Provision of nutrient rich vegetable seed for keyhole garden beneficiaries: This activity was not planned in this quarter. However, 31 kg of vegetable seeds was distributed to 543 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) at nine intervention Kebeles (of Simada and Sedi-Muja). It is a carryover activity from the first quarter. The vegetable seeds included 15 kg of carrot, 11 kg of swiss chard and 5 kg of tomato.
Sub Purpose 2.2: Increased livestock production IO 2.2.2: Increased sustainable access to livestock inputs
Livelihood transfers for vulnerable community members (FHHs, youths and other vulnerable): Following the guidance of PSNP PIM, it was planned to make livelihood transfers to 50 target individuals. Tach Gayint, Abergele and Sahila Woredas carried out livelihood transfer for 74 (44 female) beneficiaries (148% of the quarter plan) based on the interest of the target HHs to engage. The over accomplishment is due to partial accomplishment in the previous quarter and a critical need from Sahila to support an additional 14 participants. The livelihood selection fell into three categories: sheep rearing (40 individuals), goat rearing (31 individuals) and petty trading (3 individuals). A total of 142 sheep and 145 goat were distributed to 71 participants.
Figure 4: Beneficiaries of Livelihood Transfer in Sahila and Abergele
SP 2.3: Increased production of nutritious food IO 2.3.1: Increased use of alternative water sources In order to reduce dependence on unpredictable rainfall, the TRAIN project planned to work on increased use of alternative water sources through promoting small scale irrigation schemes. A total of 217.55 ha of land will be under irrigation as a result of the irrigation schemes being constructed in the reporting year. As summarized in the table below, a total of 758 HH will benefit from the irrigation schemes, of which 14.5% are FHH and 47.4% are PSNP HHs.
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Table 2 Irrigation schemes by Woreda
The detail of activities undertaken under this intermediate outcome are presented as follows.
River diversion/spring development for irrigation River diversion: In this quarter, one new diversion weir or head bar was constructed and completed in Lay Gayint Woreda (Kebele 13). Along with the diversion weir construction 750m of canal was excavated and 540m of lined canal was constructed in the same Kebele. Based on potential, another diversion weir near the one mentioned above is under construction in the same Kebele. When this latter irrigation scheme is finalized, a total of 30 ha of land belonging to 100 HHs (11 of them are FHHs) will be irrigated. Of these, 15 HHs (15%) are PSNP beneficiaries.
Figure 5: Irrigation Canal Construction in Lay Gayint
Spring development and reservoir construction: In Tach Gayint (Kebele 08), construction of spring capping and night water storage reservoir/chamber was completed. During night time, spring water will be collected in reservoir and the water can be used for irrigation. The reservoir is 13 m long, 12 m wide and 1.6 m tall from its bed. The spring capping and reservoir is connected with Galvanized Iron pipe. The plan is to construct about 350-m lined canal over the coming year. At completion, a total of 3.5 ha area of land will be put under irrigation and the scheme will serve 40 HHs (14 of them are FHH).
Irrigation Schemes Upgrading Six irrigation schemes were upgraded in the reporting quarter (100% of the plan). As part of the upgrade, intake lined canal and canal extension work were done in all but Abergele Woreda. A total of 370 HHs (61 FHH) will benefit as a result of the upgrade. Details are provided below:
Intake canal construction: During the second quarter, preparation was carried out to start the construction of intake canals for irrigation in Sahila (Kebele 08) and Ziquala (Kebele 06). In the reporting quarter, 740 m and 970 m lined canals were constructed in the aforementioned Woredas. Both of the canal constructions have been completed. The irrigation project in Sahila has a potential to irrigate 25 ha of land owned by 76 HHs (5 FHHs), of whom 46HHs are PSNP clients. In Ziquala the intake canal will provide service to 40 HHs (11 are FHHs and 15 HHs are PSNP clients) to irrigate eight ha of land.
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Canal extension works: In the reporting quarter, 58 m of lined canal were constructed in Tach Gayint (Kebele 06). As reported in the second quarter, the river has the potential to irrigate 15 ha of land belonging to 34 HHs (8 are FHHs). Of the total 34 HHs, 26 are PSNP clients.
In Simada (Fesas site of Kebele 16), three flood crossing structures were constructed for safe removal of excess water across the canal. Besides, 20 m of lined canal was added and 22 turnout gates were installed at the same site. The irrigation schemes will benefit 57 HHs (12 are FHHs). Of the total, 34 HHs are PSNP beneficiaries (6 FHHs). Canal extension work at Zirgawodo in Sedi-Muja Woreda is still under progress. In the reporting quarter, two gully crossing structures (flumes) were constructed along with a total of 300 m lined canal.
Figure 6: Irrigation Scheme Upgrading in Simada and Tach Gayint Moreover, lined canal extension work at Kebele 07 of Lay Gayint is under progress. In the reporting quarter, 620.3 m of lined canal were constructed. This irrigation scheme will benefit 103 HHs (10 FHHs, 7 PSNP HHs) bringing 37.5 ha of land under irrigation. The construction is fully completed.
Masonry dam constructions: Construction of the small masonry dams in Tach Gayint and Simada started during the first year of the DFSA. In Tach Gayint the structure has a height of 8 m (1.2 m was added in the quarter). In Simada a masonry dam with a height of 10.8 m (1.3 m was added during the reporting quarter) is under construction. The purpose of the dams in Tach Gayint is mainly for livestock whereas in Simada it is meant for irrigation.
Figure 7: Small Masonry dam and Cattle trough in Kebele 13 of Tach Gayint In addition, construction of one masonry dam started in Abergele (Kebele 16). The construction of this dam has reached a height of 5.5 m from the ground level and 2 m depth foundation is constructed across the river. The purpose of the dam is for irrigation. The construction work is still in progress and at completion, 28 male headed HHs and six FHHs will be benefit from the dam pond. From the total irrigation user HHs, 19 are PSNP and five are FHHs. A total of 11.8 ha of land will be put under irrigation.
Family hand dug well construction for irrigation: Ground water is a type of water source for small scale irrigation development particularly in the highland Kebeles of Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint Woredas. In the reporting quarter, a retaining wall, cover slab and pumps were installed for five family hand-dug wells. A total of 15 family hand dug
FH Ethiopia_DFSA_ FY’18 Quarter III Narrative Report 11 wells, of which 12 were installed with rope and washer pumps, as well as a retaining wall and cover slab were excavated during the reporting quarter.
Trainings to irrigation user committee members: The plan this quarter was to train 104 committee members. A total of 29 (27 male and 2 female) were trained in Abergele and Sedi-Muja. This training was given earlier in the second quarter and that contributed to the under accomplishment. The training was meant to enable users to sustainably utilize water sources and maximize agricultural production and it was co-facilitated by FH staff and an agronomist from the Woreda office of Agriculture and Cooperative Officers. Key training areas covered included basic concepts and importance of irrigation, roles and responsibilities of irrigation committee, water management, conflict resolution, and purpose of irrigation users association. All topics were thoroughly discussed in a participatory manner. The participants also shared their experience and exposure on the topics highlighted. Committee members of previous and new irrigation schemes in Abergele and Sedi-Muja project sites participated in the training.
Trainings to irrigation users on agronomic practices: It was planned to train 170 irrigation users on agronomic practice, and over the quarter a total of 176 (104% of the plan) irrigation users were trained on improved agronomic practices to help them make use of small-scale irrigation techniques. Of the total participants, 20 (11%) were female. Training topics covered were improved agronomic practices, irrigation water management and efficiency, coordination with other irrigation users for efficient water use and application of irrigation water user rights by members.
Figure 8: Training for Irrigation users on agronomic practices in Abergele
SP 2.4: Food gaps of HHs bridged IO2.4.1: Increased access to cash and food availability at HH level New warehouse construction: In the quarter, construction of one warehouse, which started in the second quarter, was completed in Wogeda Final Distribution Points (FDPs) of Simada. The warehouse has a capacity to hold 827 MT of food grain.
Warehouses in extension Woreda: During the quarter, round level and drainage ditches of six rub hall warehouses was completed in East Belessa Woreda.
Food commodity prepositioning: The quarter plan was to dispatch 10752 MT of commodity from the two central warehouses (Nefas Mewcha and Kombolcha) to reach the FDPs. In the reporting quarter 7,869.34 MT (73.2%) of food commodities were dispatched to all FDPs. This quantity constituted 47% of the annual target. The underachievement is due to delayed distribution caused by late submission of PW attendance sheets thereby reducing the food that should have been transported to the FDPs during the second quarter and shifting the rest to the third quarter.
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Table 3 Quantity of commodities dispatched to by type and Woreda
Food commodity distribution: TRAIN anticipated transferring 17051 MT of food commodity on the schedule of each project prepared with active involvement of all concerned stakeholders. During the reporting period, all ten Woredas were able to transfer food commodities to the beneficiaries. To this end, 10,129.20 MT of food (59.4%) was transferred to 211,327 (101,869 male, 109,458 female) beneficiaries of the ten Woredas. The underachievement is due to late submission of PW attendance sheets. The food distribution is still ongoing and will be finalized during the fourth quarter.
Table 4 Quantity of commodities distributed to beneficiaries by type and Woreda
Note: Meketwa Woreda’s distribution is summarized under Ebinat.
Refreshment training on warehouse and commodity management: TRAIN planned to train 35 staff in the first quarter. It was carried over to the reporting quarter and was conducted for a total of 46 commodity staff (131% of the target). The overachievement is attributed to employment of a new storekeeper who had to attend the training. The main objective of the training was to refresh and increase knowledge about standard warehouse management, commodity handling, and inspection, commodity distribution, responsible use of warehouse materials and equipment, record keeping and documentation.
Country Commodity Tracing System Training: FH Ethiopia has been using a commodity management software known as Country Commodity Tracing System to track records of food resources at central and final distribution sites. An updated version of World Vision’s Country Commodity Tracking System was used to conduct the training for Commodity Accountants who are users of the commodity accounting and reporting tool in the implementing DFSA program. The system improves the timeliness and accuracy of reporting.
E-payment status: TRAIN is piloting e-payment in Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint Woredas in collaboration with Amhara Credit and Saving Institution (ACSI). The cash transfer allocated for three months (Jan-Mar) was actually transferred to the beneficiaries between first week of March to the second week of June. The delay of the transfer was due to preparatory activities including registration of beneficiaries, opening of accounts at ACSI, assigning staff, etc. Out of the total $2,238,811.07 earmarked for disbursement to
FH Ethiopia_DFSA_ FY’18 Quarter III Narrative Report 13 individual mobile accounts holders, $2,154,320.37 was transferred to clients during this reporting period. Transfer achievement stood at 95% and 97% for Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint, respectively. The cash disbursement amount to individual mobile accounts has increased by $728,073.9 compared with the reported amount in the second quarter. Total amount of cash transferred to clients (redeemed) has also increased by $1,300,442 in this quarter. PSNP clients are well aware that they can withdraw their cash within six months of bulk disbursement to their mobile accounts. This has contributed to delayed cash withdrawal.
Figure 9: Cash Transfer performance in Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint
A total of 746 and 305 clients have not yet shown up to collect their cash in Lay Gayint and Tach Gayint respectively. A team from government Food Security Office, ACSI Branch Office and FH staff conducted a monitoring visit to assess why clients did not show up to collect their cash. The monitoring result showed a number of reasons including but not limited to the following: ● Some clients have passed away; ● Some have left the area in search of jobs in other places within and outside of the region; ● Some lost their client cards; ● Sickness; and ● Delegation problem (Kebele Administration did not allow clients to delegate through Kebele level social justice while the latter was the preferred way).
Purpose 3: Increased Equitable Income for Men, Women and Youth Under this purpose, the project aimed to increase opportunities for market-based income generation. In the reporting quarter, a value chain study was commissioned to a consulting firm, LGs established, youth organized for alternative livelihoods, guarantee loan fund channeled to RuSACCOs, and different trainings were delivered to the beneficiaries. The detail is described as follows: SP 3.1: Increased sale of agricultural products for women men and youth IO 3.1.1: Increased access to market for women, men and youth for on-farm production Road maintenance: One of the objectives is improving road access by maintaining existing roads through PW labor contribution. Some of the feeder roads in Tach Gayint and Sedi-Muja Woredas needed maintenance. Though it was not planned, about 7.85 km PSNP PW labor-based feeder road were repaired in the two Woredas during the reporting quarter. The maintenance of the access roads were within <5% slope ranges since it is labor based.
Value Chain studies for fish, small ruminants, haricot bean, potato and honey: One of the key activities planned for this FY was to conduct a Value Chain Study for potential sub-sectors specific to the DFSA project operational areas in South Gonder and Wag- himra zones. The Value Chain Study was conducted by a local consulting firm. Accordingly, the consulting firm submitted the first draft of the Value Chain Study for review. The draft report was reviewed by relevant FH staff at different levels and comments and inputs have been forwarded to the consulting firm for amendments.
IO 3.1.3: Men and women producers groups established
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Establish LG: Thirteen LGs involving 306 (225 male and 81 female) participants were formed. The total amount of saving by the organized LGs in this reporting quarter is ETB 25,195 (about $933) in their respective RuSACCO accounts.
Training on financial literacy and linking farmers to functional adult literacy: There was no plan for the quarter since the target was met in the previous quarter. With the increasing number of LGs members, however, a need to arrange financial literacy training became necessary. TRAIN organized training for 244 LG members on topics such as financial literacy and business management in collaboration with the respective Woreda cooperative offices. Of the total participants, 86 individuals (54%) were female.
Technical skill training on alternative livelihoods: This activity was not planned in the reporting quarter. Nevertheless, 85 individuals attended various skill training. The activity was under achieved in the second quarter. Of the total, 25 participants (29%) were female.
The type of skill training provided included masonry (50), carpentry (4), bakery (6), beauty salon (8), tailoring (14) and food preparation (3). All the trained youth are from poor PSNP families and the type of skills for training was chosen by the targets individuals during the financial literacy and business management training in consultation with respective Micro and Small Enterprises Office and technical and vocational education and trainings (TVETs) in the respective Woredas. Of the total participants, more than half (58.82%) were trained on masonry followed by tailoring (16.5%). Trainees on Carpentry, bakery, beauty salon and food preparation altogether accounted for a quarter (24.7%) of the total participants.
Table 5 Alternative livelihood training by type
SP 3.2: Men, women, youth engaged in profitable off farm activities IO3.2.1: Increased access to credit for women, men and youth Formation/strengthening of SHG: This activity was carried over from previous quarter. A total of 43 SHGs with a membership of 714 (674 female and 40 male) were formed in this reporting quarter. The activity was undertaken in the quarter to compensate for the under accomplishment in the previous quarter. The total amount of saving in this reporting period is 14,565 Birr (about $539.4). To date, 42,580 Birr ($1,577) loan is disbursed to 360 female SHG members from savings.
Figure 10: SHG members meeting and saving session in Sedi_Muja
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Initial materials support for SHGs: Initial material support is considered as one of the key interventions in building the capacity of SHGs so it was planned to support two SHGs during the quarter. In response to the needs of the growing number of SHGs, TRAIN support a total of 149 SHGs with materials to improve their financial resource management system. The materials included pass books, saving-boxes, registration books, plastic plates and stationery.
SHG leaders training on saving, credit, bookkeeping and loan management This activity was partially accomplished (49%) in the previous quarter and the remaining target had to be postponed. A total of 380 SHG leaders were trained in this quarter on saving, credit and bookkeeping as well as loan management. Of the total participants, 329 individuals (86.6%) are female.
Build institutional capacity of financial institutions: In order to create financial access to the poor PSNP clients, RuSACCOs are key financial institutions present at grassroots level. These RuSACCOs have both financial and material capacity gaps that needs to be addressed to better serve their clients. Based on the capacity gap assessment conducted in collaboration with respective Woreda Cooperative Offices, capacity building support was provided to 16 RuSACCOs at Abergele, Ziquala, Simada and Sedi-Muja projects. The support included office furniture, stationary materials and materials needed for office maintenance such as nails, cement and corrugated iron sheet.
Provide strengthened RuSACCOs with a start-up loan fund: In order to support PSNP participants' entrepreneurship efforts, FH facilitates access to credit for PSNP clients by transferring guarantee loan fund to RuSACCOs. With this intention, a total of $358,200 guarantee loan fund was transferred to 30 RuSACCOs. In the quarter, a total of 973 PSNP clients who are members of LGs have accessed loan amounting ETB 5,141,841 ($190,439) as per their business plan and financial need in Lay Gayint, Simada, Abergele and Sahila. This is activity was carried over from the previous quarter. The reason is that the guarantee loan transfer to RuSACCOs was completed in the last week of the second quarter and the loan facilitation was pushed to this reporting quarter. Of the total recipients, 363 (37.3%) were female.
IO 3.2.2: Equitable gender norms, decision making and resource control accepted and practiced Develop gender and youth mainstreaming strategy: This activity was carried over from quarter one due to delay of the gender analysis report. The report has recently been finalized and the strategy development is on progress. In the meantime, gender and youth activities relevant to each purpose were identified on the basis of the recommendations made in the gender and youth integration report and shared to technical sector heads within FH for action. A familiarization session was also organized on gender and youth mainstreaming plan for project staff to help them get acquainted with the content and enhance implementation.
Refresher training on gender mainstreaming strategy of DFSA: This activity was planned to be conducted in the first quarter with 224 annual targets. It had to wait for development of gender mainstreaming strategy. Only ten individuals were trained in the second quarter. In the reporting period, however, a refresher training on gender mainstreaming was delivered to 23 (12 female) participants in Sahila Woreda by using field level operational guideline developed to ensure integration of gender across project intervention component. This led to 29% achievement of the annual target. Box1. Mobile cinema screening Events were supported with practical demonstration on which men try to exercise activities traditionally reserved to women Conduct mobile cinema screenings and public and vice versa. The participants had noticeably reacted on demonstrations in selected Kebele: The plan for importance of gender equality in terms of improving fair this activity was to conduct 16 events. A total of division of labor, the need for joint decision making and HH 18 events (113% of quarter target) were conducted income for a wise and effective utilization of HH resource.
in six project Woredas (Simada, Tach Gayint, Lay In Sahila the cinema screening events were supported with Gayint, Abergele, Zaquala and Sahila) in theater displays organized by local amateur artists. The Key collaboration with the Woreda Women and message conveyed through the theater focused on contribution of promoting mutual support and respect between men and Children Affairs Office. women towards improving food security, poverty reduction, building peaceful and healthy relationship among the family members. FH Ethiopia_DFSA_ FY’18 Quarter III Narrative Report 16
A total of 2,220 individuals (938 female) attended the events. Of the total, youth constituted 610 (270 female). Composition of participants included GOG members, PSNP HHs, non-beneficiary community members as well as students.
Promote positive gender norms through GOGs: The quarter plan was to conduct 873 GOG sessions to continue promotion of positive gender norms. Accordingly, a total of 1,148 sessions (132% of quarter plan) were conducted. The over achievement is attributed to effort made to take advantage of holidays based on participants willingness to attend sessions in addition to regular ones. The GOG sessions constituted 16,260 (8,330 female) of whom 4,282 (2,141 female) were youths.
Box2. GoG lessons being cascaded by participants In Tach Gayint it is reported that GOG members are cascading what they learnt to their neighbors and relatives on different social gatherings. It is also reported that peoples whom they reached showed willingness to apply the knowledge they acquired.
Broadcast gender messages during undertakings of PW activities: It was planned to broadcast gender equality messages in 262 events, and 150 events (57% of the plan) were organized in four project Woredas (Abergele, Ziquala, Tach Gayint and Simada). A total of 13,110 (6,600 female) community members were reached at PW sites, distribution sites, schools and selected Kebeles. Of the total participants, 760 (412 female) were youth.
Women leaders’ empowerment training: It was planned to train 30 women leaders in order to build their self-confidence and leadership capacity and 150 women leaders were trained for three days. Carryover of the second quarter plan contributed to the over achievement.
Trainees were drawn from women leaders from RuSACCOs, SHGs, watershed committees, irrigation water user association, LGs, women association, women federation, women league, Women and Children Affairs Office and other women committee leaders related to TRAIN intervention.
Community facilitators review meeting: It was planned to conduct seven review meetings in the quarter. Six review meetings (86% of the target) were conducted in three Woredas. Lay Gayint did not conduct the review meeting because of the busy schedule of stakeholders and has postponed the review meeting to the next quarter.
A total of 210 (96 female, 45.7%) participated in the meetings. Of the total 55 (29 female) were youth members of the community. The meeting participants were composed of community volunteer facilitators, Kebele managers, Kebele level Women Affairs focal person, and staff from Woreda Women and Children Affairs Office. The major agenda of the review meeting included 1) challenges faced during undertaking community discussions; 2) root causes for the challenges faced; 3) possible strategies to improve identified implementation challenges; and 4) best practices drawn from community dialogue sessions.
Life skill training for youth leaders: This activity was carried over from the second quarter. A total of 139 youths participated in three day training on life skill. Of the youth participants, 71 (51%) were female. This achievement combines the third quarter plan and compensation of the under achievement in the second quarter. The training was provided at Woreda level in collaboration with Woreda Small and Micro Enterprise office, Women and Children Affairs Office and Youth and Sport Office. The training focused on two major areas, namely personal and interpersonal skills development.
Training on participatory theater for development: There was no plan of this activity in this quarter. Three-day training was provided to 18 participants in collaboration with Woreda Women and Children Affairs Office. Of the total participants, 12 individuals were female.
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Purpose 4: Reduced Acute and Chronic Malnutrition for Children under Two Years Old, WRA, including PLW and Adolescent Girls Sub-Purpose 4.1: Increased equitable and diverse intake of nutritious foods IO 4.1.1: Increased adoption of maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) practices Conduct nutrition days for dietary diversification for WRAs: This activity was not planned for this quarter. However, in the previous quarters, only 28% of the annual target (100 events) was accomplished due to busy schedule of Health Extension Workers (HEWs). The remaining events were carried over and 21 events were conducted in the reporting quarter. The accomplishment against the annual plan thus far is 49%. In the Waghimra context, access to diversified food is limited to few types of food items to prepare the required mix of flour for porridge. The appropriate ratio to prepare flour is at least three types of food items from crops and one type of food items from pulses. This limited the events to few Kebeles which have access to irrigation and meet the minimum number of food items. The remaining events will, therefore, be organized in the coming reporting quarter with this contextual reality.
A total of 6,553 PLW, male partners and adolescents attended the events that focused on ideal maternal and infant and young child feeding behaviors. Of the participants, 276 individuals (4.1%) were male. The primary messages conveyed through this approach included the need for: eating thicker porridge, eating fat and animal-based proteins, increasing frequency of meals, eating a variety of foods, health of pregnant women and improved hygiene practices.
IO 4.1.2: Increased Adoption of MCHN Practices Train Women Health Development Army (WHDA) on ENA on regular basis: This activity is carried out on regular basis involving WHDAs in active dialogue based on health and nutrition modules on bi-monthly basis. In the reporting quarter, a total of 1,332 WHDA attended lessons 6th, 7th and 8th on ENAs (ENA Module # 2). In most cases, groups have completed the lessons and are revising all lessons in the module to enhance adoption of the new practices. Figure 11: WHDAs training on ENA sessions in Simada
Conduct community conversation on ENA: Following the aforementioned WHDA training, the women volunteers cascaded the modular training to the PLW at mother group sessions. As a result 12,301 PLW attended ENA module #2 lessons 6, 7, and 8 in the reporting period.
Box3. Mother-to-mother groups discussion During the mother-to-mother group discussion sessions, the WHDA leaders ensure all PLW sit in circle, attendance of participants are taken, remind participants of last discussion topic, ask them if they have practiced the new behavior discussed on and challenges they encountered while trying to put to practice the new lesson they got. Likewise, participants ask questions, share their experience on each lesson topics, Figure 12: Mother-to-mother session in Tach Gayint further understand the new behavior during discussion, and they make commitment at the end of each topic to put to practice the newly acquired knowledge at home. Train local artists/school clubs on edutainment / Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC): This activity was carried over to quarter three from the previous quarter. Accordingly, a total of 66 local artists were trained on theater for development, edutainment and SBCC. Of the total participants, 25 individuals (38%) were female.
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The main purpose of this training was to enhance the knowledge and skills of local artists on how to create awareness, mobilize community for development, influence social norms positively in support of long-term, sustainable behavioral change on adolescent health, maternal and child health, and nutrition and hygiene and sanitation practices.
Link soul fathers with each pregnant women for follow-up: A total of 4,536 PLW were linked to trained soul fathers for regular follow up and discussion on antenatal care, postnatal care and maternal and child nutrition. The soul fathers are providing support and follow-up by directly visiting target HHs and disseminating key message to the community at churches and other public gatherings.
Organize male group sessions at PW and other gatherings: The quarter plan was to reach 1,920 male partners through male group sessions at PW sites. Trained model men play the facilitation role. In the reporting quarter, a total of 6,376 male partners (332% of the target) attended monthly discussion. The over achievement is attributed to attendance by an unanticipated number of male PW participants. The discussion points included hygiene and sanitation, nutrition-focused agriculture, expected support from male partners, and how husband and wife should manage the HH finance in a way that ensures equitable benefits to all family members.
Organize Mother-in-laws in to group: In the quarter, it was planned to organize 18046 Mother-In-Laws (MILs) into groups of 20-30 for quarterly discussion on family planning, new born children, maternal and child caring practices. A total of 3,574 MILs (20% of plan) attended the quarterly meeting and were oriented on the area of complementary feeding, problems related to child feeding and their main roles. The under accomplishment is due to a smaller number of MILs than what was estimated at the planning stage.
IO 4.1.3: Improved Quality of MCHN Services Train FH and district staff on MCHN: The activity was not planned for the quarter. A total of 14 health and nutrition staff from seven DFSA project Woredas were trained on MCHN packages. The training packages included antenatal care, health facility delivery, postnatal care, family planning services, maternal health problems, adolescent health and school health service packages.
Train HEWs/HNAs and promoters on MCHN: Following regional ToT training for district and health and nutrition staffs, 13 HEWs and Health and Nutrition Animators (HNAs) have participated in the training organized on MCHN. The training was given to HEWs in the reporting quarter in line with the regional training that took place in the same quarter. The training focused on maternal and child health, family planning and how to facilitate a volunteer group discussion session/WHDA and similar areas. It is expected that the same participants will cascade acquired knowledge and skills to the community using flipchart modules.
SP 4.2 Improved healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies IO 4.2.1 Increased use of family planning
Identify and train adolescent leaders on life skill tools, reproductive health (RH) and nutrition: This activity was meant to be conducted in the first quarter with an annual target of 2,065. In the second quarter, only 72% of the target was met due to budget limitations. Adolescent leaders of 10-19 age group were identified to attend the training on the areas of life skill tools, RH, maternal, child and adolescent nutrition.
In the reporting quarter, 108 adolescent leaders were trained pushing the accomplishment to 77%. The under achievement is attributed to the fact that fewer leaders are required to facilitate sessions of larger size (20 to 30 members) than the originally intended size (10 members). Hence, the number of leaders trained has been reduced. Of the participants, 58 adolescents (54%) were girls. The training is believed to build participants’ capacity to cascade the booklet discussion at school level in order to disseminate the key messages to the unreached school community members and their families.
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Conduct community awareness sessions on healthy timing and pregnancy spacing: While the quarter target was to reach 37,496 attendants on healthy timing and pregnancy spacing, a total of 15,600 community members (42% of the plan) attended awareness raising events related to healthy timing and pregnancy spacing in the target Woredas. The under achievement is attributed to late commencement of teaching on the RH booklet by Wag-himra projects who were behind schedule compared to the projects in South Gondar. Those in South Gondar have experience from the previous phase of the project. This event is organized for out of school community members. Of the total attendants, 9,736 (62%) are female.
Conduct monthly discussion sessions with school and out of school youth on selected RH topics: It was targeted to conduct 14 discussion sessions in the quarter. A total of 37 discussion sessions (264% of plan) were carried out in the reporting quarter. The over achievement is due to increased frequency of sessions in some schools as a compensation for school closure in the forthcoming months. In total, 22,954 adolescents, of whom 12,834 (56%) are female, attended a weekly discussion at schools using the module.
Sub-Purpose 4.3: Reduced WASH related illness IO 4.3.1: Increased adoption of WASH practices
ToT Training for FH/district staff on EHA/ Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): The quarter plan was to train 21 FH and district staff on CLTS and essential hygiene (CLTSH) action. A total of 14 health and nutrition staff (67% of the plan) attended the ToT training on CLTS and essential hygiene (CLTSH) action. The training focused on the elements, tools, and approaches of CLTSH and sanitation marketing. The accomplishment against quarter target is 66.7%. The under achievement is due rescheduling of the activity to match partner’s convenience. The remaining target will be met in the coming quarter.
Train HEWs/HNAs on EHA/CLTS: The quarter plan was to train 100 HEWs/HNAs on EHA/CLTS. A total of 73 (65 female) participants were trained on the tools, elements, approaches and techniques of CLTSH and the content of module #4 EHA lesson in South Gondar projects. The participants were composed of Community Health Animators, health promoters, livelihood animators and HEWs. Similar training will be conducted in Wag Himra project sites in the fourth quarter.
The training enabled participants to understand the need for stopping open defecation in rural communities through application of CLTSH approaches; develop skills to facilitate CLTSH in villages and trigger local collective action through hands-on field practice and develop institutional plans of action, including putting in place monitoring systems in their respective areas. The training will also serve as a principal tool for all hygiene and sanitation promotional activities in the school as well as in the community.
Train WHDAs on improved hygiene and sanitation practices/WASH using Care Group (CG): The second quarter target was to train 1,902 WHDA leaders. A total of 796 WHDAs (42% of the target) were trained on the area of improved hygiene and sanitation practices/WASH using CG approaches focusing on elements, tools and triggering approaches. The underachievement is attributed to the fact that some of the project sites finished modules ahead of others during the past quarter.
Establish and train CLTS committee at Kebele and sub Kebele level: The quarter target was to establish and train 109 CLTSH committee members, which is also the annual target. In the quarter, a total of 102 CLTSH committee members (94% of the plan) were trained on CLTSH for Kebele level interventions. Of the total participants, 31 committee members (30.4%) were female. Special emphasis was given to triggering aspects and how to declare open defecation free (ODF) at the Kebele level. At the end of the training, each CLTSH committees prepared an action plan for implementation and submitted the same to the project to serve as references during monitoring.
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Figure 13: Triggering event by a CLTS committee in Sedi-Muja
Declare ODF Environment: TRAIN planned to declare ODF in four Kebeles during the fiscal year. To date project sites have been working on the process of declaring ODF Kebeles. To achieve the stated end, most of the projects provided different trainings, conducted a continuous follow-up and supervisions in collaboration with government staffs. Accordingly, Tach Gayint and Ziquala project were able to celebrate ODF declaration in two Kebeles (50% of the target). The underachievement is attributed to the fact that most of the projects are working to attain secondary ODF and it requires more effort. More Kebeles will be declared ODF in the coming few months. During the event, local artists portrayed poems and drama on the effect of ODF at the field (Fig. 28).
Figure 14: Celebration of ODF in Tach Gayint
Conduct formative research on the status of ODF Kebele declared during the previous phase of the project (DFAP) Formative research was conducted in the three DFSA project Woredas, namely Lay Gayint, Tach Gayint and Simada to identify factors associated with ODF sustainability. Compilation of the study report is under progress and will be submitted with FY’18 ARR.
Spring development for domestic purpose: The quarter plan was to develop one spring. In the reporting quarter, site investigation and feasibility study was carried out for one spring in Tach Gayint at Kebele 08. Construction of spring capping and reservoir has been completed and 200 m of Galvanized Iron pipe was installed to connect the capped spring and the reservoir to easily move the water from the spring eye to the reservoir so that the beneficiaries can fetch water in the reservoir using the installed faucets.
This scheme will render service to a total of 240 beneficiaries of which 116 are female. Of the total beneficiaries, 183 beneficiaries (76.25%) are PSNP clients. In terms of HH, the scheme will serve 56 HHs (3 FHHs). A water quality test was carried out and the analysis result showed that the water is chemically and physically potable with a need for treatment with chlorine.
A WASH committee for this scheme was established in the quarter. Training will be given to them in the fourth quarter.
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3.3 Collaboration learning and adaptation
Water Quality Assurance Plan: In the reporting quarter, a Water Quality Assurance Plan was prepared to guide the quality control and management system to ensure the quality of water at the source. The plan was submitted to FFP for review and comments. The proposed springs and hand-dug wells will be tested for quality before allowing full access for use by the respective project communities. Physical, biological and chemical tests will be conducted for each water point, and the result will be documented. Water from the constructed water points that do not meet the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) quality standards will be treated with chlorine and dewatering for bacteriological and physical test failures, respectively. In most cases, water quality tests for spring water will be undertaken before construction. For hand-dug wells, water quality tests are conducted after the excavation is completed and water is observed from the well. The test results help to anticipate the problems before they occur and decide on whether to use the sources.
FH Ethiopia is responsible for initiating and facilitating the water quality tests, and the Regional and Zonal Water Bureaus conduct the sample collection, conduct lab tests and analysis, and responsible for reporting. Customarily, the Regional government is expected to avail and allow use of water quality test tools and kits and the chemicals while FH Ethiopia covers logistics costs and perdiem for the government water quality experts.
Regional GO- Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) forum: The GO-NGO forum was held in Bahir Dar from April 16-17, 2018 hosted by Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) and the Bureau of Finance and Economic Cooperation. FH Ethiopia was invited to participate and present its achievements in USAID supported PSNP project areas within the region. The presentation was made through photographic display visited as a gallery walk by the forum participants. FH presented its achievements in the long term development endeavor in Amhara Region. Similarly, various other NGOs working in Amhara Region were also invited and presented their achievements. FH was one of those who were awarded best performance certificate by designing multi-sector program interventions. The main purpose of the forum is to create partnership between government and NGO counterparts.
Zonal GO-NGO forum: Zonal level GO and NGO forum was conducted during the quarter (April, 2018). The main objective of the forum was to share experience from similar NGOs on quarterly basis. In the reporting quarter, World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) South Gondar Program hosted the forum. WVE shared their experience, best practices and case stories through presentation. FH learned that livelihood and nutrition program is working well and the theories are being practically implemented on the ground. FH also decided to visit WVE sites to cross-learn from their field program implementation.
FH participation on JRIS meeting: A Joint Review Implementation Support (JRIS) meeting was held both at Federal and Regional levels in this quarter. The PSNP IV Federal mission meeting was held from June 12-14, 2018 at Addis Ababa. It is led by Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security Directorate and participants included USAID PSNP implementing partners FH, WVE, Catholic Relief Services and Relief Society of Tigray. Development partners such as USAID, World Bank and Irish Aid were present. The thematic areas discussed included presentation on GoE report and how to handle regional level concerns as well as priorities for the next six months.
Similarly, the Regional JRIS meeting was held in Amhara Region at South Gonder zonal town, Debre Tabor from June 3-7, 2018. This meeting was accompanied by field visit and followed by presentation from field findings. The participants were USAID, European Union, World Bank, UNICEF, MoLSA, MoFEC, FH, WVE, ORDA as well as government staffs representing nine zones and 32 Woredas. The Federal Food Security directorate delegate presented progress report and key challenges encountered in the course of implementing PSNP. Among the challenges mentioned are the low wage rate which makes it difficult to purchase food, low community participation, targeting, and graduation challenges. Emphasis was given to the fact that PSNP is not an emergency
FH Ethiopia_DFSA_ FY’18 Quarter III Narrative Report 22 program and rather it is a resilience approach that all stakeholders and field practitioners of PSNP should give the necessary attention to for collaborative achievement.
Conduct field visit: The JRIS meeting was accompanied by a field visit to Lay Gayint. Two Kebeles namely Kebele-04 and Kebele-10 were identified and visited by the meeting participants. The main objective was to have firsthand observation of implementation of PSNP through TRAIN. Rope and washer pump, livelihood, RuSACCO and health program were visited at Kebele-04. The team understood that the transfer is as per the standard of the PIM principles after visiting some beneficiaries of these interventions.
FH’s participation on annual review meeting: ANRS and DPFSPCO invited FH Ethiopia to participate in annual achievement and evaluation of food security program in the region. The meeting was held from May 11-12, 2018 at Finoteselam town, and is primary aimed at evaluating the performance of annual plan and the achievements of each quarter. Following presentations, discussion and reflections on various issues were made. Capital budget utilization, completion of transfer and taking care of clients in the process of graduation were among some of the highly emphasized points.
Attend cap-admin review meeting: Annual review was conducted on June 29/2018 in Bahir Dar with the objective of reviewing the status of PSNP program for fiscal year 2018. It was realized that most of the DFSA’s project in South Gondar had accomplished the capital budget beyond 97% which is highly appreciated according to the Zone Report. Simada and Tach Gayint projects even gone beyond that and accomplished 100%. The meeting was attended by all of the ten South Gondar Zone PSNP Woredas.
Participation in CLAME meeting and regular exchange of learning documents for the CLA bulletin and update of learning matrix Collaboration Learning and Adaptation Monitoring and Evaluation (CLAME) working group meeting was conducted at USAID mission office on the 24th of April, 2018. The working groups, drawn from DFSA, Pastoralist Areas Resilience Improvement through Market Expansion (PRIME) and Livelihood for Resilience projects’ implementing partners of USAID, met and discussed on the progress of Collaboration Learning and Adaptation (CLA) plan and achievements so far and brainstormed on future M&E/CLA required supports.
Following this, FH regularly updated the learning matrix since then and communicated updates. It has also finalized documents including success stories, newsletters, gender and youth mainstreaming and integration plans. This will be uploaded on the USAID established learning lab webpage to be further accessed by the wider group and food and nutrition security and PSNP program implementers to exchange knowledge. Similarly, a finalized project profile of DFSA TRAIN was shared to the seven project locations so as to help them use as a fact sheet and in promoting project visibility.
3.4 Implementation Challenges
Some of the challenges TRAIN encountered in the course of implementation of the quarter plan are:
Administrative challenges Some of the administrative challenges include: ● Staffing: This quarter is also characterized by staff turnover (especially in the dry lowland project sites in Wag Himira zone) and filling vacant positions such as Planning Monitoring and Evaluation and Infrastructure Officer. ● Partnership: As a co-implementer, FH had to work with and align its activities and strategies with its partners (especially government line offices) who often have their own priorities, at times not in sync with TRAIN project’s priorities especially in terms of timing. This affected timely execution of some activities.
Programmatic challenges The following are some of the programmatic challenges: Construction-related
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● Dam site in Abergele Woreda is far away from the Woreda center (250 km for single trip) and this became a critical problem to transport construction materials and to conduct supervision. ● Price escalation, especially for the industrial construction materials, following the current currency devaluation of Ethiopia posed unforeseen challenge. Agriculture and livelihood ● Government staff expect a high per diem for collaborative work ● Low infrastructure and poor market access ● Poor saving culture of the community ● Water shortage for demonstration in most of Wag-himra FTCs ● Due to the limited financial capacity, RuSACCOs could not satisfy the loan need of LG members even though they come up with feasible business E-payment ● Limited cashiers at the payment stations causing clients to stay long ● ACSI’s total reliance on FH especially for remote and inaccessible Kebeles ● Absence of printed PIN cards for some of Tach Gayint clients ● Delayed submission of attendance sheets especially in Lay Gayint Woreda.
Health and nutrition The health and nutrition component of DFSA closely works with stakeholders at all levels to ensure sustainability through building the capacity of health extension workers WHDAs and other community level structures at grassroots level. However, high turnover of HEWs (esp. in some remote Kebeles of Wag-himra zone) has been affecting implementation of activities on the ground. In addition, it necessitated repetitive orientation sessions for newly added staff. The project is looking into alternative course of action to enhance the capacity of WHDAs to create a stronger grassroots structure that withstands changes due to turnover.
3.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Update
Monitoring visit: Field visits were made to bridge some of the gaps observed in the area of reporting. Technical support was provided for each program staff across the project sites. Following the discussions on challenges in the area of reporting, guiding principles were developed, agreed upon and disseminated for use among Woredas to adhere to in order to improve quality of reports.
Quarterly review meeting with HEWs/Animators/WHDAs The quarter target was to conduct three review meetings. All projects, jointly with Woreda Office of Health, have conducted quarterly review meetings with HEWs, Project Animators, and WHDAs to discuss major achievements, challenges, and mechanisms for collaboratively moving forward. A total of 706 (all female) participants attended the event. The key issues discussed during the review meeting included status of bimonthly modular discussion with PLW, updating of the discussion participants at the village levels, hygiene and sanitation issues, detailed discussion on challenges and corresponding proposed remedial actions. Regular supportive monitoring visits to their assigned project locations were conducted by zonal Health and Nutrition program coordinators that contributed positively through directing and reinforcing interventions.
4. INTEGRATION OF CROSSCUTTING ISSUES AND USAID FORWARD PRIORITIES
4.1 Gender Equality and Female Empowerment
In the reporting quarter, the following achievements in integrating gender into intervention stand out ● Compared to the second quarter achievement that registered (19% of the target), women’s loan access almost doubled in the reporting quarter (37.3%). The increased percentage of women credit recipients was 42.7% in Sahila and 49% in Sedi-Muja showing remarkable increase. This implies that female participants are being empowered financially to ultimately improve their economic and social status. In addition, livelihood transfer also favored higher percentage of women
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participants (59%). Targeting FHHs as livelihood beneficiaries created opportunity to build assets, as well. Some FHHs begun to plow and benefit from the production gain fully rather than renting out their land for sharecropping; ● GOG is impacting community members by initiating positive gender norms; and ● SHG and livelihood transfer are proving to be instrumental in the process of female empowerment helping them dream for possibilities in the midst of apparent difficulty.
4.2 Sustainability Mechanisms
Intertwining sustainability elements into interventions needs a proactive and intentional process of embedding the elements into major interventions with which the project makes the desired changes. The embedding process is not similar across the intervention types of TRAIN. Yet the following may be indicative of the efforts being made thus far:
Irrigation schemes: Irrigation development absorbs considerable portion of the project budget. Prior to irrigation scheme construction, users are organized into irrigation water user associations with proper management training. In the quarter, irrigation users committees were trained on sustainable management of the structures as well as the water resource.
Watersheds: The development process of watersheds starts with participation of communities in which they play role in delineating the area. It also involves huge external investment in the form of commodity in exchange for their PW labor and skill of PSNP beneficiaries. Ultimately, watersheds contribute to improving local ecosystem. In the quarter, the SWC activities contributed to increased conservation of land. Moreover, handing over these watersheds to users ensures the sustainability of these resources.
4.3 Environmental Compliance
All SWC activities as well as irrigation schemes were looked into using environmental lens. Compliance has been ensured from the very beginning of feasibility study and through adherence to Initial Environmental Evaluation recommendations and Environmental and Social Management Framework screening processes.
4.4 Global Climate Change
TRAIN project’s interventions contribute to helping target communities adapt to the risks that climate change poses to humans, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Watershed development through bio-physical measures, irrigation development, facilitation of livelihood options, socio-economic interventions such as SHG and LG, health and nutrition interventions and climate smart technologies all contribute to increasing adaptive and absorptive capacities of target communities. Thus far, no significant impacts have been observed on health and economic areas mainly owing to global climate change.
4.5 Policy and Governance Support
With PSNP as a government-led program, FH is working toward adding value to local governance through co-implementation, monitoring and facilitation of regular review of the project. GO-NGO forums in the region provide an opportunity for cross-learning and influencing government policy directions and recommendation of necessary actions.
Involvement of Woreda and Kebele level offices in “soft” interventions such as GOG and CG gradually contribute towards government capacity building and policy influence. In addition, joint quarter review meetings with government counterparts at project sites play significant role in mutual learning and adaptation.
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4.6 Local Capacity Development
TRAIN builds capacity of major local actors beside government offices through joint implementation, coaching and training. For instance,
• FH has been working with RuSACCOs and TVETs among others. FH has been contributing to build their capacities both technically and financially. • Various forms of training to local actors and community members contribute to enhance human capital development. CG sessions are remarkable social investment areas increasing participants’ knowledge by way of broadening their nutritional outlook; • GOGs can contribute to foster the existing social bond towards more cohesive communities that can strive to realize local development and gender equality; • By involving local artisans, masons, contractors and youth enterprises in carrying out the development activities the TRAIN project supports local economy in general and HH income in particular; • Training was delivered to the community and government structure on various areas including on health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. This includes supporting of the existing WHDAs’ capacity on selected health and nutrition packages and provision of trainings for government officers and especially for health extension workers.
5. STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT
TRAIN continued contributing to the dynamics of participation and involvement of stakeholders in its operation areas. ● At community level, participation of WHDAs for health and nutrition and that of community facilitators for GOG session are building blocks for the changes being registered with respect to both cases. The former are key players in the government structure. The latter are volunteers who work in collaboration with Kebele Administration. In addition, committees of various types, groups, schools and financial institutions took part in the process of implementing activities in quarter. ● At the Woreda level, each activity involves respective Woreda offices which have been working collaboratively and have played critical role in the implementation of the project activities; ● At a higher level, FH partners with Regional Bureaus, ACSI and other actors in policy discussions, implementation and learning. Such engagements at the regional level helps FH provide feedback on policies and materialization of the plans closely working down to the administrative levels.
6. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
Staff living room constructions: During this quarter, construction of the staff living room and other facilities in Sahila, Abergele, Ziquala and Sedi-muja are progressing well. Construction in all four Woredas are more or less at a similar stage. In Sahila and Ziquala, the construction for all facilities including staff living room are almost completed and are anticipated to provide service in the coming quarter. In the case of Abergele and Sedi-Muja the construction is at roof work stage and it will be finalized in in the next quarter.
7. LESSON LEARNED
The following lessons are drawn from the reporting quarter: ● The quarter has had quite a number of carryover activities for different reasons explained in the report. FH will work to keep such occurrence as rare as possible by intentionally studying the trends and strategizing ways to collaborate with stakeholders; ● Availing guarantee funds to RuSACCOs by itself does not satisfy financial access needs. There is a need to device mechanisms to expand capacity of these
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community institutions and continuous follow up and support. ● PSNP clients are well aware of the privileges of e-payment in that they can withdraw their cash within six months of bulk disbursement to their mobile accounts;
8. PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR NEXT QUARTER INCLUDING UPCOMING EVENTS
The next quarter is a critical segment of implementation year as it will bring annual targets to completion. The detailed plan is found in the detailed implementation plan. Major activities planned for the next quarter are: ● Execution of CG and GOG sessions ● Seedling plantation (biological treatment) ● Completion of various construction activities ● Completion of food and cash distributions ● Finalizing the Value Chain Assessment Report to be followed by identification of key action areas of intervention to strengthen value chains over the coming three years ● Data collection for ARR ● Consolidation of lessons learned for future use
9. HOW IMPLEMENTING PARTNER HAS ADDRESSED A/COR COMMENTS FROM THE LAST QUARTERLY REPORT
No issues were raised from the AoR in the previous quarter.
10. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Financial reports will be submitted by FH HQ separately.
11. SUCCESS STORIES
Two success stories in two areas are attached with this report.
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