Updated Mapping Study on Non State Actors Sector in Ethiopia
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Framework Contract Benef. Lot N° 7 2007/146027 UPDATED MAPPING STUDY ON NON STATE ACTORS SECTOR IN ETHIOPIA Final Report July 2008 By William Emilio Cerritelli Akalewold Bantirgu Raya Abagodu Volume II Regional Reports This report has been prepared with the financial assistance from the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflect the official opinion Mayof the 2008 Commission. Table of Contents 1. Regional Report Afar...................................................................................................... 3 2. Regional Report Somali................................................................................................ 14 3. Harari Regional Report................................................................................................. 28 4. Regional Report Dire Dawa.......................................................................................... 44 5. Regional Report Oromia............................................................................................... 63 6. Regional Report SNNPR ............................................................................................. 78 7. Tigray Regional Report................................................................................................. 92 8. Amhara Regional Report ............................................................................................ 106 9. Benishangul Gumuz Regional Report ........................................................................ 122 10.Gambella Regional Report......................................................................................... 135 2 1. Regional Report Afar 1 General remarks on NSA at territorial level. 1.2. Background about Afar National Regional State Afar Regional State (ANRS) is one of the least developed of the nine regions within Ethiopia which is also the major pastoralist regions of the country. Over 90 percent of the region’s population is classified as pastoralists that are dependant on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Apart from a small percentage of the population engaged in commerce or the civil service in urban areas, the major proportion of the remaining is classified as agro-pastoral population dependent on livestock as well as sedentary agricultural production. In its climate, the region is classified into arid agro-climate zone which is characterized by very high minimum temperature, low precipitation and harsh weather condition. As a result, Afar is one of the drought prone regions with major shocks and hazards associated with the recurrence of drought that disrupts the livelihood of the population. Apart from crop failure and food shortages, the recurrence of drought often aggravates the vulnerability of household livelihood through the devastation of livestock resources which is the major source of livelihood. The region is also characterized by underdeveloped infrastructure and the lack of social services where the population has the least access to social services particularly education, health, water supply, etc. 1.3. NSA in Afar NRS - from the previous mapping o There was a low presence of NGOs and other NSAs compared with other regions; o NGO growth deterred by the climate and the pastoral nature of the inhabitants (Interviewees suggestion) and NGOs operational were more significant almost exclusively in areas along the main road; o International NGOs like Farm Africa, engaged in livestock development; Oxfam, World Vision, CARE and Goal Ethiopia; o The national NGO mention to be operational is the Rehabilitation and Development Organisation with a large number of volunteers undertakes mine awareness and rehabilitation for victims of mine accidents; o There were 20 cooperatives established to engage in livestock development, irrigation, salt production, savings and credit and other general activities; and o The process of developing NGO guidelines for was in process with the collaboration of NGOs and the community (lack of capacity to engage with NGOs and to monitor effectively their activities was mentioned. 1.4. Major highlights of current findings o Most NSA existing in ANRS are very young except some NGOs that have been operational in the region long ago. While NGOs are the major NSA sector operational in the region, there are also few other civil society organizations like associations of interest groups (women, youth, teachers, enterprise workers, etc) that were formed recently. o Farmers’ cooperative organizations are the other NSA which is important in the region. Even though community based organizations especially Iddirs are also important NSA especially in urban areas like Dupti, Assaita and Logia, their engagement in social and development activities is not significant at the moment. o The maturity as well as the level of participation of the other civil society organization in the region is at an infant stage because they were formed recently or they are in the process of 3 organizing themselves like the region’s youth and women associations. On top of the lack of maturity, the activities of some self initiated associations like the Afar Pastoralist Youth Association (APYA) are also limited in scope due to the lack of finance and logistic problems. o While the freedom and autonomy an important quality of self initiated associations like APYA, their activities are often limited because they are solely dependent on membership registration and contribution. On the contrary, the regional government sponsored the initiation of Afar youth and women association which are in the process of formation. The formation of these associations is politically motivated in that the idea was initiated only after realizing that the youth and women took sides with the opposition parties during the 2005 election. Thus, the youth and women associations which are formed through the sponsorship of regional government would not have similar freedom and functional autonomy since their formation is politically motivated. o Many NGOs that operate in Afar region undertake activities that combine development, service provision with emergency responses that aim to mitigate disaster and vulnerability to major shocks associated with drought. Nevertheless, given the high risk and incidences of vulnerability to disaster, the number of NGOs operational in the region is very small. In addition, the capacity of existing NGOs does not allow them to pursue long-term intervention programmes that would address the multi-faceted problems of agro-pastoral production system and vulnerable household livelihood. o As the region is characterized by high level of illiteracy, lack of social services and infrastructure, development activities that aim to improve access to the basic social services particularly education, health, water supply, etc are important sectors in which NGOs participate and contribute significantly. In order to provide these services, relief and emergency responses programmes should also be carried out as complementary activities that simultaneously address the immediate problems particularly famine and food insecurity. o The scope of programmes and activity coverage of NGOs operational in the region differ because of their differences in resource capacity, specialization and the nature of activity in which they are engaged. Nevertheless, the activities areas of some NGOs appear to be too many while the mature and experienced ones engage in few but clearly defined and more focused activity sectors. o Apparently, NGOs that undertake activities in which they have comparative advantage due to the technical capacity acquired and specializations developed in specific activity areas are often effective in their development intervention and/or service provision activities. On the contrary, the lack of specialty more likely contributes to weak performances and ineffectiveness of those NGOs whose activities spread across diverse sectors. Therefore, in order to enhance their contribution to development and service provision, both large and small NGOs should have well defined program areas in which they have the expertise and experience that enable them to be more effective. o The NSA environment in Afar region appears relatively more enabling especially after the NGO guideline was prepared and circulated for comment and feedback. According to the key informants, the regional council is expected to ratify the final guideline which incorporates input and feedback from NGO representatives. Even without the guideline, NGOs operational in the region obtain regular support from the respective regional sector offices and closely work in project monitoring and evaluation. 4 o A recent development which is bringing together the government and NSA is the establishment of sector specific forums that would enhance collaboration and cooperation between GO and NSA particularly the NGOs. Rural and Pastoral Task Force is one of the major forums in which there is close work relationship between state and NSA. Nevertheless, institutionalized system of cooperation and coordination between regional sector offices and NSA sector has not been established in Afar region. o The collaborative relationship existing between sector offices and NSA is only on operational issue while the dialogue on policy and political issues is not practiced at all. Apart from the absence of advocacy projects and activities that promote human rights and good governance, the knowledge and experience required to engage in these