Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

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
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