![[ToC]](../images/cpbanner.gif)
Due to devastating famine and civil war, Ethiopia has been a symbol of despair for decades. After five years of peace and effective governance, the building blocks for a better future are in place and despair has turned to hope. With 54 million people and located in the center of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has been a steady force and ally of the United States in dealing with regional and continental issues. It has played a critical role in seeking regional peace and stability and under the leadership of one of the brightest young leaders in Africa, is the current head and site of the Organization of African Unity and home of the United Nations Economic Commission on Africa.
With an estimated annual per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $120, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, but is moving with commitment and measurable success on a path of solid and sustainable development. Ethiopia has moved through the early phases of economic reform and structural adjustment over the past four years by working out a development path consistent with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) principles, but firmly under its own control. The government remains committed to ensuring that the 85% of the population, who still labor on farms in rural areas, benefit strongly from economic and social developments. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) was established in September 1995. Under a newly approved constitution and national parliamentary elections, the FDRE has maintained the policy directions of the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE) while getting on with the tasks of establishing a parliament, functioning court system, and broadly decentralized government system. In a historically troubled region, it is a bulwark against the increasing problems of violent Islamic fundamentalism in Sudan and Somalia. If Ethiopia can successfully make this transition, it can become a model of relative peace and stability.
U.S. relations with Ethiopia are generally good, with strong mutual interests on regional and third world issues. The U.S. Government remains constructively critical of some aspects of political constraints and the human rights situation. Ethiopia is important to the success of the President's Initiative on the Greater Horn of Africa (GHAI) because of its size, location and potential. Thus far, Ethiopia has been a key player in trying to use this Initiative to improve the ability of the countries in the region to prevent conflicts and improve overall food security and hence, avoid the crises of drought and war which have plagued the Horn. The FDRE has been helpful to U.S. and United Nations (UN) policy objectives in the region, including contribution of troops to the UN force in Rwanda in 1995 and mediation efforts between Yemen and Eritrea. The United States enjoys a growing trade surplus with Ethiopia. As the second most populous country in Africa, Ethiopia could become an increasingly important African market for U.S. goods.
The Development Challenge.
To transform Ethiopia requires overcoming its widespread poverty, the historical lack of democratic traditions, weak or non-existent infrastructure, and extremely poor social services. Over the past 20 years, feudal imperialism, followed by a generation of authoritarian Marxism and recurrent famines have contributed to the deterioration of the quality of life in Ethiopia. Social indicators are among the worst in the world and, in many instances, are worse now than they were 20 years ago. Infrastructure is pitifully lacking, with transport, communications, and energy systems being one of the least developed in Africa. Over half of Ethiopia's population lives in abject poverty. In urban areas, three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line and a third make up the "poorest of the poor." Against the World Health Organization's recommended daily minimum intake of 2300, the domestic calorieavailable to Ethiopians is 1500-1600 calories per person per day. This has caused severe malnutrition with approximately 60% of all children under five chronically undernourished. More than twice as many children die in Ethiopia each year than in any other country in the world [est. 550,000 v. 200,000 in Mozambique]. Primary school enrollments of girls in Ethiopia is one of the lowest in the world.
The United States and the FDRE's other donor partners have an opportunity for the first time in a generation to seriously help rebuild Ethiopia and address the root causes of its problems. This has eliminated the need to use millions of dollars to feed starving children and, instead, help their parents move toward feeding themselves. However, the development process will take time, and as a result, does not make Ethiopia a candidate for graduation from donor or U.S. assistance in the near future.
In 1995, a combination of ample and well timed rains, increased modern agricultural inputs, and hard work by millions of farmers in response to better market prices have helped produce a record harvest. USAID assistance in liberalizing input and output markets and supply systems helped to bring this about, and can play an important part in the more difficult challenge of building on one good year to achieve sustainable food security in the medium term. USAID has been a leader among donors in providing support to the difficult process of building a strong institutional structure for a democratic system. USAID assistance has also helped the new democratic system operate under the rule of law, helping to support elections, the preparation and consideration of the constitution, and now the strengthening of the judicial and parliamentary systems. Major assistance is also being provided to help restructure and rebuild basic health and education systems in a country that slid to the bottom in all basic measures of human welfare and social services. Complementing this assistance to build a new future, USAID also works closely with the FDRE to build up the abilities of the massive vulnerable populations in the country in resisting drought and food shortages, as well as respond efficiently to the short term food shortages.
Other Donors.
USAID and the donor community provided a total of $1.1 billion dollars in FY 1994 for development activities. During the transition period between 1991-1994, building on the recovery assistance coordinated by the World Bank, the donor community has worked closely together in coordination with the government. The year 1995 saw the establishment of the new democratic government ending Ethiopia's formal political transition, and a new beginning point in its efforts to rebuild and restructure its economy and social services. Both the FDRE and donors have agreed that the formation of the new government provides a new opportunity to regroup and work out new consultative and operational coordination mechanisms among donors and the government. The large donor community in Addis Ababa, many of whom also have regional responsibilities, also facilitate the local consideration and coordination of regional activities such as the GHAI.
In 1994, the United States was among the largest bilateral donors providing about 11.3% of all donor assistance to Ethiopia. The World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Community, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Italy, France, Sweden, Canada and the International Monetary Fund are other donors providing assistance to Ethiopia.
FY 1997 Program.
USAID's assistance strategy in Ethiopia focuses on helping to strengthen food security, rebuilding critical social services in education and health, creating a more democratic and responsive political system, and being prepared to respond efficiently to humanitarian crises until their root causes can be overcome. These priorities are shared by the government. USAID's close work with the government in assistance programs in primary health and primary education began to function for the first time in 1995. Results in these sectors have already begun to emerge. USAID's assistance in democracy and governance has advanced along with the transition process. With the formation of the permanentelected government, USAID's assistance in democracy and governance has moved away from elections and constitutional support to working with the newly elected National Parliament and strengthening local governments and judicial structures at both national and local levels.
Since 1991, USAID's overall assistance to Ethiopia has declined as a result of decreased food aid requirements due to relatively good weather and increased agricultural production. Program tightening has continued over the past years in Title III levels and development assistance. While we do not welcome the scarcity of USAID resources, improved conditions in food security, transportation, and the general Ethiopian operating environment will reduce the costs and obstacles to providing assistance. It would be a cruel paradox if our assistance levels fall short in critical areas such as agriculture production at this time of relative opportunity.
Agency Goal: Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
In spite of the image popularized by two major famines in the last 20 years, Ethiopia is a country which is capable of feeding itself and producing a surplus of food. One of USAID's strategic objectives is to help the country realize this potential. The record harvest in 1995 has demonstrated that small farm holder production, backed by reliable supplies of agricultural inputs, credit, and relatively open market-driven incentives can grow enough food to feed the people of Ethiopia. While economic growth in the short and medium-term equates heavily with agriculture, in the longer term, it must be built on diversification and a solid base of physical and human infrastructure. USAID is focusing its assistance on helping to rebuild the devastated basic education system which is critical to the growth of an educated workforce and citizenry.
USAID and the FDRE have chosen to focus assistance in food security, thereby increasing the production of the most heavily produced and consumed grains upon which the diet, well being, and stability of the country depend. USAID assistance has focused on encouraging liberalized agricultural input and output marketing. Higher levels of fertilizer and improved seed usage resulted from stronger public and private sector efforts to competitively distribute these inputs. Continuing USAID assistance will focus on helping Ethiopia achieve sustainable economic development and get to a level of food security that will reduce the need for outside emergency assistance.
Over the past generation in Ethiopia, the deterioration of the education system has led to extremely low enrollments in schools as well as a poor quality and inapplicable education. Beginning in 1994, USAID launched an ambitious effort with the FDRE to restructure and revitalize primary education. Discussions and shared analyses of USAID's new basic education support activity over the past three years have begun to have a positive impact. This activity supports complementary top-down actions to correct and improve policies while supporting large-scale local and regional pilot activities to strengthen teacher training, school administration, staffing and operation. Education quality has received strong attention from our government partners and the Ministry of Education has begun setting minimum primary schooling standards to monitor the progress on quality and equity. A new promotion and salary structure has been put in place which rewards good performance, and not just seniority. Policy changes and incentives have led to more women being admitted into primary teacher training institutes with a better chance of finishing the institute with quality training. The government has lived up to its commitments and has increased both the share of the budget for education and the relative allocation of funding for primary education. For the first time in 20 years, legal changes have led to the opening of private primary schools.
Agency Goal: Stabilizing World Population Growth and Protecting Human Health.
Ethiopia's gains in economic growth are seriously eroded by its rapidly increasing population. At a national population growth rate of over 3%, Ethiopia's population could exceed 145 million by the year 2025, seriously magnifying the challenge of providing even basic social services. Today, the average Ethiopian woman has seven children. Due to a profound lack of access to primary and preventive care, 23% do not survive past the age of five.
Fewer than 20% of Ethiopians have access to modern health care services. The health status of Ethiopians is among the worst in the world. Totally overwhelmed public sector health facilities are inadequate to provide for even rudimentary needs. By the year 2000, it is estimated that 1.4 million Ethiopians could be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). USAID's assistance focuses on encouraging the implementation of critical and central level policy changes as well as provide hands-on assistance in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education and prevention programs. In addition, by strengthening rural primary health programs in selected regions of the country, child survival and fundamental health problems will be addressed directly. The government has continued to increase the relative allocation of national budget to health (from 5.8% to 6.2% of the national budget), while improving internal allocations in favor of rural and preventive care and introducing mechanisms for cost recovery within the health care system.
In addition, a strong and well-thought-out National Population Policy provides the framework for USAID support to population planning, education, and control programs. U.S. technical assistance is provided to the national population policy unit. USAID assistance is provided to improve the availability of reproductive health care and contraceptives through public, private and non-government organization (NGO) channels. A consortium of local NGOs, facilitated by Pathfinders International, has come together to help women and children, reaching over 10,000 women in 1995 with reproductive health assistance. Primary health care facilities are also being strengthened to increase the access of rural populations to basic care and the means to improve their reproductive health and planning.
Agency Goal: Building Democracy
Ethiopia's prospects for stability and sustainable development depend heavily upon the country's ability to move away from its historically authoritarian mode of governance and centralized system. This transition process has made great strides since 1991, but it remains ambitious and risky. Since 1992, the policy of the United States has been to accelerate, facilitate, and guide the development of institutions and processes which underpin democratic societies and a decentralized form of government.
In 1995, USAID assistance to the final round of elections, which were conducted in a manner which suggests an increasingly effective electoral administration, helped bring about the new constitutionally established legislature and elected executive leadership positions, at both federal and regional levels. There was an increasingly effective devolution of authority and budget to regional states, suggesting a strong commitment to the principles of fiscal federalism. New forms of support to regional governments are under negotiation with the FDRE. USAID will increase support for an independent and responsible media. Training for the central and regional judiciary is being expanded. USAID will continue to support the new legislative leadership in thinking through a variety of structural, organizational and capacity-related issues, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in legislative decision-making, and the need for public access to the legislative process. Support will also go to strengthen civil society and to facilitate the consolidation of existing civic associations in order to have a sustained impact in this area. A network of civic NGOs has been successfully formed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| USAID Strategic Objectives | ||||||
|
1. Increased Availability of Selected Domestically Produced Food Grain Crops - Dev. Fund for Africa - P.L. 480, Title III |
|
|
|
|
|
15,233,975 |
|
2. Increased Use of Primary and Preventive Health Care Services - Dev. Fund for Africa |
|
16,917,869 |
16,917,869 |
|||
|
3. Quality and Equity of Primary Education Improved in an Expanded System - Dev. Fund for Africa |
12,083,690 |
12,083,690 |
||||
|
4. Increased Access to and Participation in a Democratic System - Dev. Fund for Africa |
|
|
|
2,088,633 |
|
2,088,633 |
|
Specific Objective 1. Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Provided to Most Vulnerable Groups - P.L. 480, Title II |
31,558,000 |
|
||||
|
Totals - Dev. Fund for Africa - PL 480, Title II - P.L. 480, Title III |
24,167,380 26,700,000 |
16,917,869 |
3,150,285 |
2,088,633 |
31,558,000 |
46,324,167 31,558,000 26,700,000 |
USAID Mission Director: Margaret P. Bonner
PROGRAM: ETHIOPIA
TITLE & NUMBER: Increased Availability of Selected Domestically Produced Food Grain Crops, 663-S001
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION & FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1997: $15,233,975 DFA, $26,700,000 P.L. 480, Title III
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 2003
Purpose: Increase the availability of selected domestically produced food grain crops in Ethiopia through support to private and public sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) who promote sustainable small farmer production.
Background: Ethiopia can't yet feed itself. Amidst the war and famine in the past, the people of the United States have helped to keep Ethiopians alive with massive, costly shipments of food aid. In the last five years, peace and a new government have worked with USAID to begin to move Ethiopia from receiving relief to obtaining food security -- one of the two main objectives of the Greater Horn of Africa Initiative (GHAI). The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) is now helping small farmers to produce more food.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: With the support and encouragement of a multi-donor consortium, including USAID, Ethiopia has made considerable progress in the liberalization of the agricultural economy since 1991. USAID promoted policies which helped develop a targeted food safety-net program to meet the needs of Ethiopia's vulnerable population, promoted a greater role for the private sector in agricultural trade, and increased productivity. Food commodities supported productive enterprises, supplemented relief efforts in poor years, and helped build up strategic grain reserves. By 1994, the market share of the parastatal grain trading agency has dropped from 40% to 3.6%. State monopolies on distribution and sales of basic commodities have been eliminated. By 1995, regional grain price differentials have dropped significantly due to greater private sector involvement and transport and market deregulation. USAID's effort to improve and strengthen Ethiopian grain markets means that farmers have received better prices for their products, market margins have declined, creating more stable prices for the consumer, and the number of traders competing in the markets has increased.
In addition, transport controls have been lifted. As a result, the private sector has been able to participate, and transport costs have become more competitive. Substantial progress has also been made on fertilizer liberalization. The FDRE has steadily increased fertilizer imports over the past four years, and in 1995, for the first time, financed fertilizer imports from its own funds. Private firms have obtained access to fertilizer distribution and retailing. The resulting increases in domestic production led to reductions in donor-supplied food aid imports. For every additional bag of fertilizer used, farmers can get up to five bags of grain with associated rates of return of approximately 150%. Together with good rains, these inputs and private sector initiatives have produced the largest harvest in Ethiopia's recent history.
Description: USAID supports key FDRE analytical activities, including a Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation effort to understand and stabilize food price mechanisms in the emerging market economy. Together with the implementation of a food price information system, these steps will help small producers and merchants benefit from effective markets. USAID supports the Ethiopian Central Statistics Agency to expand the coverage and timeliness of its annual Agricultural Survey. This will help provide policy makers and donors with more accurate data on what is occurring in Ethiopia's eight million small farms. USAID will also support a test of a new organizational structure for farmer-owned cooperatives to improve their ability to provide farm input, banking, and output market services to their members. Lessons learned can be applied to the revived nationwide cooperative system.
The agriculture production support activity now in preparation with the government, NGOs, private sectorgroups, and farmers will more systematically confront food-production constraints in selected crops in selected regions of the country. Through addressing policy and farm-level constraints, the new program aims to encourage farmers to increase production and productivity. The program will also support efforts to encourage increased participation of the private sector, while at the same time re-defining the role of government in the agriculture sector. This will include strengthening of agricultural and micro-enterprise information collection and analysis capability. Support for the development of a rural banking system related to production credit and financing for micro-enterprises will also be explored. The level of intervention, however, will need to be adjusted based on availability of USAID resources for food security activities, a sector with diminishing funds each year.
Host Country and Other Donors: USAID support for this objective complements program interventions by the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and other donors in agricultural production, transportation, infrastructure development, and related policy reforms. Private sector seed market development is underway by the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Increasing access to fertilizer through more competitive and efficient markets is closely coordinated with the World Bank and five other major donors. Efforts to promote small-scale farm production complement current Swedish efforts to enhance grain production in the major growing areas and future World Bank efforts.
Proposed project activities complement and support a large government extension effort which is based on pilot approaches tested by Ethiopian and foreign NGOs, e.g., the Sasakawa Global 2000 Program. There are regular meetings of donors involved in fertilizer provision as well as a broader donor forum on agriculture issues. Several major studies, which USAID has designed and financed over the past year, have received wide attention and established USAID's technical staff as a reliable and well-informed source of information on the sector. The food security strategies of both the EU and USAID, which are under development, have been shared, and possible joint activities, such as grain/cereal market information systems development have been identified. A joint early warning newsletter being done by the EU and USAID helps keep the government, the donors, and the NGO community abreast of the latest information on food vulnerability in Ethiopia.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiary of the above investments will be Ethiopians who must purchase some or all of their food on the market. More immediate beneficiaries are the millions of small farmers and small agricultural businesses who will profit from the increase in demand for agricultural goods. In addition, as farm and non-farm activities expand, rural landless laborers will find new employment.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: U.S. Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Chemonics International, Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance, Michigan State University and Addis Ababa University.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Real declines in food grain prices
PROGRAM: ETHIOPIA
TITLE & NUMBER: Increased Use of Primary and Preventive Health Care Services, 663-S002
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION & FUNDING SOURCE: FY1997: $16,917,869, DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003
Purpose: To increase the use of primary and preventive health care services in order to improve the health status of Ethiopians and reduce population growth. This will be done by promoting integrated rural child survival and general health care services in a major region of Ethiopia; by expanding comprehensive reproductive health service delivery through non-government organizations (NGOs) nationwide; and by instituting the private social marketing of condoms throughout Ethiopia. USAID's policy reform agenda focuses on increasing the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) budget resources dedicated to basic health, with an emphasis on child survival and integrated sustainable rural health service delivery.
Background: The health status and access to health care of Ethiopians is among the poorest in the world, and far below the norm even by African standards. Fewer than 20% of Ethiopians have access to modern health care. At its current population growth rate of over 3%, Ethiopia's population will exceed 145 million by the year 2025. The average woman has more than seven children during her lifetime. Due to lack of access to primary and preventive health care, 23% of these children will not survive beyond the age of five. By the year 2000, it is estimated that 1.4 million Ethiopians could be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Only recently initiated, a number of significant accomplishments have been achieved. From 1994 to 1995, the budget for health increased from a 5.8% to 6.2% share of the total national budget. There have been significant shifts to primary service delivery which addresses child survival. A national health care finance policy, developed with USAID assistance, soon will be approved by the Parliament. It will institute revised fees and fee retention strategies, thus promoting sustainability of health care services at the local level.
NGOs have been in the forefront of USAID activities regarding reproductive and child health. Over 10,000 women have been reached through a consortium of local NGOs with reproductive health services over the past year. Through USAID support for contraceptive social marketing, it is anticipated that over 24 million condoms will be sold in 1996 to reduce HIV transmission, and over 20,000 women will have a broader choice of services. USAID-supported HIV/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) activities have expanded sexually transmitted disease (STD) treatment to over 15,000 clients in urban areas.
Rural health service delivery efforts in the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples' Region (SNNPR) will initially reach about 1.6 million children under five years and almost two million women. Over the next five years, up to a total of eight million children and women nationally will have access to basic care. If implemented successfully, by the end of the project, over 150,000 child deaths could be saved annually. A reproductive health survey was completed in the SNNPR, which utilized state-of-the-art technologies developed in the United States. This study provides important information on causes of maternal and child illness and death, and presents options for improving maternal and child health which are directly suited to the specific needs of those communities. USAID is working hard in the SNNPR to promote public and private sector cooperation to maximize health care delivery services.
Description: USAID assistance focuses on policy reforms to: (1) increase resources budgeted to population, health, and nutrition activities, and expenditures on primary health care; (2) reorient services more toward prevention of infant and child mortality; (3) develop and implement a national health care financing strategy and implement cost recovery and local financing to promote a self-sustaining system; (4) focus resources on community delivery, particularly for child survival initiatives; and (5) liberalize theprovision of reproductive health care service delivery.
Project assistance will be concentrated in the SNNPR and will include: (1) enhanced rural health care service delivery to improve maternal and child health (including the reduction of communicable parasitic and infectious diseases); (2) developing and implementing a health care financing strategy and logistics management information system, which will move financial decision making closer to those providing care; (3) strengthening the national AIDS control program; (4) supporting indigenous NGO outreach programs; and (5) expanding contraceptive social marketing.
Host Country and Other Donors: The FDRE has demonstrated its commitment to improving the health of Ethiopians by continuing to increase the share of the national budget allocated to health, with emphasis on rural and preventive, not just curative, services. The government has adopted basic policies and strategies to shape programs in health and family planning. In addition, a policy on women recognized the need to improve their role in society.
Beneficiaries: At the end of this activity, beneficiaries will include 50% of the 16 million people in the SNNPR, and an estimated 10 million urban residents nationally who will benefit from family planning and AIDS control activities.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Activities to achieve this strategic objective are being implemented by a wide range of international and local partners working in collaboration with the FDRE and local governments. These partners include Pathfinder, Family Health International, Population Services International, Partnership for Child Health, and the Family Planning Consortium of NGOs in Ethiopia.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline1/ Target
Health as a percent of national budget 5.8 (TBD) 9.0 (2002)
Number of condoms distributed annually 5.8 (TBD) 9.0 (2002)
Use of essential services in rural areas 18 m (TBD) 24 m (2002)
of SNNPR 20-40 % (TBD) 40-60 % (2002)
PROGRAM: ETHIOPIA
TITLE & NUMBER: Quality and Equity of Primary Education Improved in an Expanded System, 663-S003
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION & FUNDING SOURCE: FY1997: $12,083,690, DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To improve the quality and equity of primary education in an expanded (and expanding) system by improving education sector policy, financing, and decentralized administration, as well as improving the supply of critical inputs such as teachers, curricula, and books.
Background: The educational system is not serving Ethiopia's future generations in terms of educational quality or access to schools. Only about 20% of eligible children nationally are enrolled in primary school, with even lower rates for girls and rural children. Most of those enrolled do not get a quality education. It is estimated that significantly less than half of the adult population can read or write, and the average education of the work force is a mere 1.1 years. These distressing statistics place Ethiopia among the worst of the world's developing countries in terms of the quality of its human capital. In Ethiopia, without a much broader and stronger human resource base, sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID is providing technical and other assistance to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) for bringing about policy change, helping the government to improve education sector financing, and decentralizing administration. USAID is also helping the government by working with teacher training institutes to improve curricula, policies, facilities, and by assuring the sustainable availability of key inputs such as teachers, books, and improved curricula. While full-scale implementation is just beginning, gains are already evident. The Ministry of Education has begun setting minimum primary schooling standards to monitor progress on quality and equity objectives. A new career and salary structure for teachers has been enacted that rewards performance, not longevity. Other changes include improvements in curriculum development, more effective teaching methods by the instructors of teacher training institutes, and installation of computer-based planning and policy models. Progress toward gender difference objectives already include an additional 600 female trainees annually admitted into primary teacher training institutes and a public campaign initiated to encourage parents to send their daughters to school. Furthermore, FDRE education financing has also improved with an increase in the education budget share from 14.8% to 16%. Moreover, the financing of education is being diversified, with the opening up of private schools for the first time in over 20 years.
Description: USAID efforts are focused on: (1) improved quality and equity of the primary school environment; (2) improved efficiency and effectiveness of key quality-related services, such as teachers and books; (3) improved quality of teacher training; (4) improved decentralized management and administration of primary education; and (5) increased and more rational and efficient sectoral financing.
USAID interventions are targeted at the center to promote system-wide gains and to improve the administration of the newly decentralized system on the two focus regions (containing about 25% of the country's population). In addition, assistance will strengthen the skills of newly recruited primary school teachers (with particular attention to female students), development of more relevant curricula, and improvement in the supply of instructional materials to schools. Furthermore, within hundreds of rural settings, communities will identify problems which have eroded education and receive direct support to redress these problems. Finally, USAID supports the spreading of gains and lessons from the target regions to other regions.
Host Country and Other Donors: USAID aims to facilitate systemic change from within, not to impose pre-determined innovations from the outside. For this reason, USAID assistance had been explicitly designedto conform to the stated education policies and priorities of the FDRE. While USAID is seen as the major donor in this area, others supporting primary education include the World Bank, United Nations Children's Fund, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Ireland.
Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries include the expanding pool of primary school pupils in the two target regions, expected to number over four million. In addition, about 4,000 students at the three teacher training institutes in the focus regions will benefit in the interim.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Academy for Educational Development and Tigray Development Association.
Major Results Indicators: Indicators (apply to target regions)
Baseline Target
Primary school graduation examination being collected (1996) 20% gain (2002)
raw scores
Primary school female enrollment 24.7% (1994-95) 30% (2002)
rates
Primary school rural enrollment 31% (1994-95) 40% (2002)
rates
Share of females in grade 4 31.6% (1994-95) 40% (2002)
Primary schools meeting quality being established To be determined
and equity standards (1996)
(recently established by FDRE)
PROGRAM: ETHIOPIA
TITLE & NUMBER: Increased Access to and Participation in a Democratic System, 663-S004
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION & FUNDING SOURCE: FY1997: $2,088,633 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY1995 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY1999
Purpose: Increase access to and participation in a democratic system in Ethiopia by providing selected support and assistance to government and non-government organizations (NGOs) in Ethiopia.
Background: Emerging from centuries of feudal imperialism, capped by a generation of authoritarian Marxism, Ethiopia will require sustained support and technical expertise to build democratic institutions and procedures, and more responsive and transparent mechanisms for governance. Assistance is also required to establish a positive enabling environment for civil society and to assist indigenous NGOs to assume positive and active roles in economic development and the process of consolidating democratic governance.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Efforts to achieve this strategic objective began with support for the conduct and international observation of the first elections (June 1992) held after the transition in 1991. Subsequently, support for improved election administration, the drafting of and deliberations on a new federal constitution, support to investigate and prosecute war crimes, the formation and structuring of a new Parliament, the strengthening and administration of national and regional courts, and support to a more devolved federal system of government have been included. Assistance has also emphasized the strengthening of institutions of civil society, including indigenous civic NGOs and political parties firmly committed to democratic competition.
By 1995, based on elections for constitutionally established legislative and executive leadership positions at both federal and regional levels, the non-violent transition from a temporary to an elected government was completed. The emerging federal structure has shown strong commitment to the principles of fiscal federalism. Although regional administrative capacity remains uneven, an increasingly effective devolution of authority and budget to regional states has occurred. Although not broadly competitive in partisan political terms, compared to historically or recent year elections, the 1995 elections were conducted in a manner that suggests an increasingly effective electoral administration. USAID will continue to provide assistance in the area of electoral administration.
The newly elected Parliament is starting to take shape. This body should be able to help resolve inter-regional disputes, and facilitate the efficient and equitable distribution of revenue, both between the federal government and among the regions. As requested by the new legislative leadership, USAID has begun to offer support in thinking through a variety of structural, organizational, and capacity-related issues, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in legislative decision-making, as well as the need for public access to the legislative process. USAID has also begun to identify areas in which elements of the regional and local governments can be supported and strengthened, focusing initially on capacity and policy-making related to fiscal federalism and federal-regional economic policy coherence.
Efforts to strengthen civil society and to facilitate the organizational consolidation of existing civic associations are bearing fruit. Several networks of civic NGOs have been organized and coordination among organizations has improved. A cooperative NGO effort to monitor and report on the conduct of the on-going war-crimes trials has emerged and is being supported by USAID. Although the total number of civic NGOs remains limited, many of them are becoming increasingly confident and able to operate. USAID has played a leading role in encouraging the establishment of a positive enabling environment for the development of a vibrant civil society and its efforts will continue.
Description: USAID has focused on providing timely and appropriate support in key democratic institutionsand processes during the transition. Some of these activities, such as support for NGO coverage of the trials of former officials under the Mengistu regime, and support to the National Election Board are being continued. A new grant has been made to the United States Information Agency (USIA) to carry out training and support for local media. USAID is also supporting the development of indigenous NGOs in Ethiopia. Activities now being developed with government and non-governmental groups will organize judicial training programs at the regional level and provide support to the organization and functioning of the new Parliament.
Host Country and Other Donors: Considerable energy and funds have been devoted by the FDRE to developing democratic institutions and procedures. Under the guidance of a group of ambassadors, the coordination and collaboration among key donors, including the United Kingdom, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank, France, Italy, Germany, the United States, and international NGOs has been extremely good.
Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries include individuals and communities who have chosen to participate in the new political, judicial, and legislative systems as well as civic society groups. Ultimate beneficiaries will include the population of Ethiopia.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Carter Center, National Democratic Institute, Participating Agencies Cooperating Together, Fund for Peace, International Fund for Electoral Support, Thunder Associates, Inter Africa Group, USIA, UNDP, A-Bu-Gi-Da.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Increased access to the state and its decision- To be established To be determined
making via transparent mechanisms (e.g.,
elections, judiciary, media, effective regional
government).
Expanded and more active mechanisms for To be established To be determined
voluntary participation in social and political
life (civic NGOs, political parties, civic
education).
PROGRAM: ETHIOPIA
TITLE & NUMBER: Emergency Humanitarian Assistance Provided to Most Vulnerable Groups, 663-SP01
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION & FUNDING SOURCE: FY1997: $31,588,000 P.L. 480, Title II
INITIAL OBLIGATION: As needed ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: As needed
Purpose: To enhance household food security of vulnerable populations (e.g., those affected by low rainfalls, extreme poverty, high population density, and inadequate or war damaged infrastructure) in target areas by channeling U.S. food donations through U.S. and Ethiopian non-government organizations (NGOs) to support emergency relief, reconstruction, and development.
Background: Ethiopia's growing inability over the past decades to cope with chronic food deficits, caused by civil war and recurrent droughts, has resulted in the need to provide well over one billion dollars in humanitarian assistance by the United States. War has now ended, and political stability exists, but the trend of the recent past remains--a period of good rains and harvests is followed by a period of drought and significant food aid needs. Part of this cycle can be broken through increasing overall national food production (USAID's first strategic objective), providing national improvements in income, surpluses, and food reserves in response to weather crises. But chronically vulnerable populations also require targeted help to build up their household economies and coping mechanisms to become more productive and be able to better withstand short-term food shortages.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Since 1984, the United States has provided one quarter to one third of annual donor-provided food in Ethiopia, which was needed to keep millions of people alive. Since 1991, peace and generally good rains have allowed for a steady overall decrease in total food imports and a sharp increase in the amount of food going into developing an economic base for vulnerable people. Food is being used now to prevent, rather than respond to, famine.
In 1995/96, Ethiopia has seen a record grain harvest, and overall import needs have decreased. However, in 1996, over two million people will still require emergency food assistance. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia's (FDRE) Commission for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (CDPP) plans to fulfil this requirement through local procurement of food surpluses and has not requested emergency food imports. This year, the FDRE and NGOs will be able to concentrate on the longer term developmental impact of their programs instead of on relief feeding. The CDPP continues to make strong progress in implementing the National Policy on Disaster Prevention and Management, which focuses on ensuring that relief efforts directly contribute to the elimination of the root causes of vulnerability. The government's Emergency Food Security Reserve, supported by USAID, has also played a critical role in improving response time to critical food needs by maintaining a buffer stock that can be released to immediately respond to food shortages.
Description: In 1995, through relief and regular food-assisted development programs implemented by international and indigenous NGOs, the United States provided 110,209 metric tons (MT) of P.L. 480, Title II Emergency and Regular food to assist an estimated 5.7 million beneficiaries. Although relief efforts were significantly reduced from 1994, when drought stricken populations required over a million MT of food imports, the capacity of NGOs to respond quickly and efficiently remains critical. These development programs are targeted toward vulnerable populations which have supported productive and labor-intensive activities designed to increase agricultural production, stabilize environmental degradation, and improve access to preventive health and nutritional programs. Equally critical for the foreseeable future is that there be continued presence of NGO programs in high risk areas which provide the framework for the FDRE, the United States, and other donors to mount a relief effort quickly and efficiently, if needed.
In 1996, it is estimated that approximately 5.7 million Ethiopians will directly benefit from Title II food donations. As a result, sales of productive assets like oxen will be avoided by the majority of the families who face food shortages. P.L. 480, Title II resources have also supported a number of rehabilitation activities that address the root causes of these food shortfalls. For example, Food for The Hungry International (FHI) helped communities in three project areas produce over 6.3 million tree seedlings for fruit and firewood consumption. During 1995, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), working with its Ethiopian counterparts, helped communities begin the long-term process of reclaiming arable land by constructing check dams and hill-side terraces that prevent excessive water run off and restore marginal land to cultivation. Save the Children Fund/USA used P.L. 480, Title II resources to support community health workers in launching immunization campaigns against measles, whooping cough, and polio that reached over 11,000 children. In the Tigray Region, the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) used P.L. 480, Title II resources to construct over 100 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, thereby providing over 9,000 farmers and their families with direct access to the marketplace and other essential services such as health posts and schools.
Host Country and Other Donors: A number of government/donor/NGO groups and standing committees exist in Ethiopia to ensure coordinated planning and implementation of relief efforts. The World Food Program hosts weekly meetings that bring United Nations agencies, donors, NGOs, and the CDPP together to discuss all aspects of food assistance programming. The CDPP has also constituted a number of working groups composed of government ministries/NGO partners and donors to study issues and assist the FDRE in policy formulation and implementation of various aspects of preparedness and prevention, e.g., food program targeting. Starting in 1996, USAID will invest considerable staff time in improving the capacity of all donors and the FDRE to better target scarce food resources. Under the aegis of the Greater Horn of Africa Initiative, Ethiopia will also be the first country in the region to attempt to standardize how food assessments are done and how vulnerable groups are defined. This will enable more effective targeting of food and other resources.
Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries will be the most vulnerable populations in Ethiopia, approximately five million people.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements its P.L. 480, Title II Emergency and Regular activities through a group of experienced international and indigenous NGOs - Cooperation for American Relief Everywhere, CRS, Food for the Hungry International, Save the Children, World Vision and Rural Development, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and REST. USAID also works with the FDRE's Commission for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness.
Major Results Indicators: The major result indicators presented below were recently established in collaboration with NGO partners, other donors and the FDRE's CDPP in order to better capture the results of the varied approaches. The baselines and targets will be developed this year.
Major Results Indicators:
Baseline Target
Decrease in deaths due to starvation Being established To be determined
Decrease in displacement of the population Being established To be determined
An increase in household income Being established To be determined
A increase in average household Being established To be determined
agriculture-related production
An increase in the number of clients using Being established To be determined
primary preventive health services
An increase in the number of farmers using Being established To be determined
and benefitting from conservation techniques