Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

Reg. registered Asso. of PLWHA = 3
55. Free Press;
56. Community based organisations - 48 basic
Iddirs in Asossa Town
Selam and Weyisho Iddirs in
Asossa
2.2. \Distribution of NSA in BSG
There is a general concentration of NSA in Asossa Town and the corresponding zone, which is
Asossa Zone. As can be seen from Table 2 below, out of the total 34 operational NGOs in the
region, eleven are operational in Asossa Zone. Likewise, according to the information from the
Cooperatives Promotion Agency 21 , about 70% registered Cooperatives are from the Asossa Zone,
while the remaining 20% from Metekel and 10% from Kamash Zones. The distribution pattern of
the various associations of youth (reproductive health, anti-AIDS, etc.) is some what identical, as
most are concentrated in Asossa and the surrounding areas.
Most of the international NGOs and the FBOs have programmes focusing on the rural based
population. On the other hand, the various regionally formed NGOs and membership-based clubs
and associations of youth, women and the few iddirs taking part in social services for OVC are
primarily active in urban and semi-urban set-ups.
Table 2. Zonal Distribution and Participation of 'NGOs' in BSG
S. No Zone No of NGOs %
1 Asossa 11 32
3 Metekel 10 29
2 Kamash 8 24
4 Region-wide operation 5 15
Total 34
Based on BOFED Info
3. Activities and Sectoral Contributions
General Overview
The regional government is well aware on importance of the participation as well as contributions
of the different elements of NSA in the regional socio-economic development process. To this
effect, the government encourages the emergence, growth in number and supports capacity
building for NSA participation. The following three observations could be counted as verifiers of
the above generalization:
� During the establishment phase of the Asossa Chamber of Commerce, the office of the
regional president has donated Birr 3,000 to assist the take-off process 22 ,
� The Regional Finance and Economic Development Bureau as part of its five year
development plan have a goal of increasing the number of operational NGOs to 51 from
the reference of less than 30 23 . It is learnt that the regional officials do visit head offices
of stronger NGOs and lobby them to start operation in their region.
21
Ato Mulugeta Teffera, Team Leader BSG Coop. Promotion Agency
22
From the discussion with Ato Kidane-Mariam Abera, President, Asossa Chamber of Commerce & Sector
Asso.
23
From the discussion with Ato Mamo Gentse and Ato Girma Fufa, Regional BOFED
125