Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

facilities and hence the proximity to commercial centres and market outlets that stimulates
economic activities.
Nevertheless, in spite of the existence of road network and improved infrastructure particularly in
parts of the region which are well connected with the central market, high incidences of poverty
and livelihood vulnerability is common in some zones of the region. Thus, a considerable parts of
the rift valley, wider areas covering East and West Hararghe as well as the lowland areas
inhabited by the pastoral and agro-pastoral population including the Kereyu in East Shewa
bordering Afar region and also the pastoral and agro-pastoral households in the South-East and
Southern parts of the regions particularly Borena. In these areas, the scarcities of pasture and
water are the major problems that affect livestock production and hence disrupt the agro-pastoral
and pastoralist livelihoods. Apart from the hot and dry weather pattern, these areas are also hit by
major shocks resulting from the recurrence of drought and rain shortages. As a result, livelihood
vulnerability and food insecurity would be further aggravated due to the devastation of livestock
resources and life threatening famine incidences which are common phenomena particularly in
the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of the region.
Even though the social and economic infrastructure in Oromia is relatively in better conditions by
the standard of development in most of the other regional states, the region also embraces
considerably large areas where the infrastructure development is still at a very low level.
Therefore, the region’s population that have access to basic social services like education, health
and water supply is very low in these areas. This is particularly the case in less developed and
inaccessible remote rural areas particularly the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities which
includes Borana, Guji and lowlands of Bale, Arsi, East and West Hararghe. Apart from the lack
of access to basic social services and the prevalence food insecurity, backward tradition, HTP and
the high level of poverty also characterize communities and household livelihoods in these parts
of the region. Thus, in order to address the backward socio-economic situation and the vulnerable
livelihood of the population particularly in the areas just mentioned, there are diverse NSA
typologies that have become operational undertaking various development projects and service
provision activities in Oromia.
1.2. NSA in Oromia - from the previous mapping
The major points from the previous study findings include
o Presence of the greatest number of INGO and NNGOs and also ODA, women’s, farmers’
and youth associations.
o The Government subsidized the women’s and youth associations but officially they are
considered as free and independent organizations despite the fact that the People’s
Organisation and Community Mobilisation Co-ordination Bureau oversees their
activities.
o NGO guidelines has been developed on the basis of the federal guideline
o The region has GO-NGO forum which meets annually to share experience while NGOs
engaged in relief work also meet regularly to discuss common problems.
o There is a three year regional strategic plan and NGOs participated in their respective
sectors of development (education, health, etc).
o The study indicated the negative attitudes of some lower level officials towards NGOs as
noticeable particularly amongst woreda and kebele level officials. This was based on the
interview of unnamed staff who indicated the Government suspicion of an NGO
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