Regional Reports - the European External Action Service
Regional Reports - the European External Action Service Regional Reports - the European External Action Service
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 activities is generally limited among NSA including NGOs. Most NGO representatives consulted believe that policy and political dialogue are not the tasks of NSA but that of the Government and political parties. o Regional offices responsible for the licensing and registry of NSA do not often have well organized record keeping systems. This is particularly the case with the Bureau of Labour and Community organizations which is responsible to keep records of women, youth groups, labour unions and workers association. Except the Disaster Prevention and Food Security Bureau (DPFSB), regional offices such as BoFED and the major sector bureaus (Rural and Pastoral Agriculture, Water and Education) do not record NGO project activities and their contribution to regional development endeavours. Therefore, the lack of data would make difficult to undertake quantitative assessment of NSA projects especially NGO project activities, coverage and also contribution to development. 5
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- Page 23 and 24: up support that enable them to enga
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- Page 29: The Major characteristics can be su
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o A recent development which is bringing toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> government and NSA is <strong>the</strong><br />
establishment of sector specific forums that would enhance collaboration and cooperation<br />
between GO and NSA particularly <strong>the</strong> NGOs. Rural and Pastoral Task Force is one of <strong>the</strong><br />
major forums in which <strong>the</strong>re is close work relationship between state and NSA. Never<strong>the</strong>less,<br />
institutionalized system of cooperation and coordination between regional sector offices and<br />
NSA sector has not been established in Afar region.<br />
o The collaborative relationship existing between sector offices and NSA is only on operational<br />
issue while <strong>the</strong> dialogue on policy and political issues is not practiced at all. Apart from <strong>the</strong><br />
absence of advocacy projects and activities that promote human rights and good governance,<br />
<strong>the</strong> knowledge and experience required to engage in <strong>the</strong>se activities is generally limited<br />
among NSA including NGOs. Most NGO representatives consulted believe that policy and<br />
political dialogue are not <strong>the</strong> tasks of NSA but that of <strong>the</strong> Government and political parties.<br />
o <strong>Regional</strong> offices responsible for <strong>the</strong> licensing and registry of NSA do not often have well<br />
organized record keeping systems. This is particularly <strong>the</strong> case with <strong>the</strong> Bureau of Labour and<br />
Community organizations which is responsible to keep records of women, youth groups,<br />
labour unions and workers association. Except <strong>the</strong> Disaster Prevention and Food Security<br />
Bureau (DPFSB), regional offices such as BoFED and <strong>the</strong> major sector bureaus (Rural and<br />
Pastoral Agriculture, Water and Education) do not record NGO project activities and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
contribution to regional development endeavours. Therefore, <strong>the</strong> lack of data would make<br />
difficult to undertake quantitative assessment of NSA projects especially NGO project<br />
activities, coverage and also contribution to development.<br />
5
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