WFP Ethiopia - Project & Activities



Home	Projects & Activities
Home	Contents of this page
	The Country Programme
	Activities by Region
	Land Development
	School Feeding
	Urban Food Assistance
	Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping
	Contingency Plan
	Donor Assistance to Ethiopia

Top	The Country Programme
Top	Basic Portfolio 1998-2003
	ACTIVITY	PROJECTED ANNUAL BENEFICIARIES	VALUE US$ MILLION	METRIC TONNAGE
	Land Rehabilitation	754,000	52.8	146,628
	School Feeding	130,000	20.6	26,954
	Urban Food Assistance	11,200	8.3	20,237
	Pilot Initiatives	-	8.3	22,198
	TOTAL	895,200	90.0	216,017


	The first five-year Country Programme (1998 - 2003) was approved by the Executive Board in May 1998 and signed by the Government of Ethiopia in December 1998. The goals of the Country Programme are to improve the level of food security of approximately 895,200 beneficiaries per year. The Country Programme provides for 216,000 MT of food aid (valued at US $103.5 million) for current development activities and new initiatives in the pastoral areas of the country. However, supplementary resources estimated at 181,000 MT of food, valued at US $88 million, would be required from the Donor community in order to fully implement the proposed programme.
	The programme provides a safety net in food insecure areas and aims to increase investment in soil and land protection, water harvesting and afforestation. Human development of the poor, women and children is enhanced through improved nutrition and better access to education, family planning and health services. Temporary employment is being created. Women, too, are being encouraged to participate at all levels in WFP-supported operations. Finally, WFP Ethiopia is working to increase availability and access to food at critical times of food shortage.
	In line with these objectives, WFP Ethiopia is focusing on:
	Rehabilitation of rural lands, afforestation and development of infrastructure Improving education through school feeding Urban slum physical infrastructure improvement and support to vulnerable women and children Pilot development initiatives in the pastoral areas Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Gender mainstreaming Monitoring and Evaluation
	The Country Programme is coordinated with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Cooperation (MEDAC). Individual activities are implemented by Regional Bureaux of Agriculture and Education and the Administrative Region of Addis Ababa.
	The Country Programme will be reviewed and evaluated in the year 2001. The review report will be submitted to the Executive Board in early 2002 and the lessons learned, together with the Executive Board comments, will serve as the basis for the formulation of the second Country Programme.
Top	Activities by Region
Top	Click one of the regions of Ethiopia to find out more about that region and WFP's involvement there.

	Tigray		Afar
	Amhara		Addis Ababa
	Beneshangul Gumaz		Oromiya
	Gambella		Dire Dawa & Harari
	SNNPR		Somali


Map	Tigray
Map	************ Insert Text here
	Land Rehabilitation	46,095	beneficiaries
		13,263	MT Wheat
		254	MT Oil
	School Feeding	45,900	beneficiaries
		1,175	MT Biscuits
		405	MT Famix Drink
		149	MT Famix MS

Map	Amhara
Map	************ Insert Text here
	Land Rehabilitation	39,510	beneficiaries
		10,457	MT Wheat
		200	MT Oil
	School Feeding	45,000	beneficiaries
		1,175	MT Biscuits
		405	MT Famix Drink
		149	MT Famix MS

Map	Beneshangul Gumaz
Map	************ Insert Text here

Map	Gambella
Map	************ Insert Text here

Map	SNNPRS
Map	************ Insert Text here
	Land Rehabilitation	19,755	beneficiaries
		7,073	MT Wheat
		175	MT Oil

Map	Afar
Map	************ Insert Text here
	School Feeding	4,200	beneficiaries
		81	MT Biscuits
		28	MT Famix Drink
		10	MT Famix MS

Map	Addis Ababa
Map	************ Insert Text here
	Urban Assistance	9432	beneficiaries
		7,166	MT Wheat
		622	MT Famix

Map	Oromiya
Map	************ Insert Text here
	Land Rehabilitation	26,340	beneficiaries
		9,405	MT Wheat
		333	MT Oil
	School Feeding	6,000	beneficiaries
		180	MT Biscuits
		62	MT Famix Drink
		23	MT Famix MS

Map	Dire Dawa & Harari
Map	************ Insert Text here

Map	Somali
Map	************ Insert Text here


Top	Rehabilitation and Development of Rural Lands & Infrastructure
Top	Ethiopia is faced with an alarming rate of soil erosion. Every year an estimated 1.5 - 2 billion tonnes of top soil is washed away, which seriously undermines efforts to promote food security. Without efforts to halt and reverse the process of land degradation and develop basic infrastructure, food deficits will increase. Other factors which limit agricultural production include an inadequate road network which hampers the supply of farm inputs and marketing of agricultural produce, a severe shortage of village water supplies resulting in much time and effort, particularly for women, to secure daily water requirements, limited use of irrigation, negligible off-farm employment opportunities, weak extension services and erratic rainfall.
	WFP support for land rehabilitation, now in its third phase, began in the mid 1970s and uses food aid as an incentive in support of soil conservation, rural infrastructure construction, and afforestation activities in areas affected by chronic food insecurity. In accordance with government guidelines, the project is decentralizing management and has reorganised itself locally. This enables communities to identify their priorities, plan activities, and provides a benchmark against which to measure progress. The programme is expected to protect and develop 135,000 hectares of land through various soil and water conservation measures and construct basic infrastructure in 450 rural communities.

	Beneficiaries & Food Distribution by Region 1998
	REGION	BENEFICIARIES	WHEAT MT	OIL MT
	Amhara	39,510	10,457	200
	Oromia	26,340	9,405	333
	SNNPRS	19,755	7,073	175
	Tigray	46,095	13,263	254
	TOTAL	131,700	40,198	962
	Achievements
	An average of 131,700 people directly benefited from the WFP food rations provided to the project in 1998. Of those, 32% were women. Thanks to WFP food and non-food support to this project, communities were able in 1998 to reduce the effects of erosion and better protect their soil by adding 19,737 km of stone bunds, 8,303 km of soil bunds, 814 km of check dams, 6,160 hectares of area closure, 7,920 km of hillside terracing, 303 million seedlings, 24 ponds, 181 springs and 268 km of roads. WFP Ethiopia requested supplementary resources and supplied a total of 40,198 tonnes of wheat to the project in 1998, exceeding the original target delivery of 30,000 tonnes. Sufficient food was pre-positioned in all regions during the latter half of 1998, enabling activities planned for 1999 to be at the maximum level possible. In collaboration with the VAM Unit, the Country Office conducted a pilot assessment on the impact of food for work in Chencha woreda of North Omo Zone of the Southern Region in July-September 1998. WFP Ethiopia's efforts to obtain material and equipment met with a highly positive Donor response in 1998, particularly from the Governments of Norway and Japan. During the year, WFP handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture 68 motorcycles and 6 pick-ups worth over US $250,000 as well as 6 Rubb Hall tents worth US $83,000 and agricultural tools worth some US $500,000. In addition, Donor commitments were made to provide an additional 30 motorcycles, 4 pick-ups, as well as authorisation for the local purchase of US $269,673 worth of agricultural tools, and another US $300,000 worth of imported agricultural tools for poor farmers. All concerned regions have received food on time from WFP. Efforts were made to encourage regions to use the private sector instead of relying only on project donated trucks (Amhara, SNNPRS and Tigray all attempted to cover their own transport requirements using private transport whereas in previous years only the project fleet was used).


Top	Improving Education through School Feeding
Top	Ethiopia is one of the educationally least developed countries in the world, having the world's lowest primary education enrollment ratio. Adult illiteracy is 66% (54% for men, 74% for women) compared to an African average of 43%. It is estimated that only 29% of the relevant age group was enrolled in primary schools in 1994/5 (the Sub Saharan Africa average is 73%). Due to high drop-out and repetition, only about one fifth of children enrolling in primary school complete grade six.

	Beneficiaries & Food Distribution by Region 1998
	REGION	BENEFICIARIES	BISCUITS MT	FAMIX DRINK MT	FAMIX MS MT
	Afar	4,200	81	28	10
	Amhara	45,900	1,175	405	149
	Oromia	6,000	180	62	23
	Tigray	45,900	1,175	405	149
	TOTAL	102,000	2,610	900	331

	As part of the Government's strategy to increase enrollment and reduce drop-out rates in marginal, drought-prone areas of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Education (MoE), with support from WFP, began project ETH 4929 "Improving Education through School Feeding" on a pilot basis in 1994. With overwhelming positive results, WFP's assistance was doubled for primary school pupils for the one year "bridging phase" during the 1997/98 school year. A new phase has been approved and covers the period 1999 - 2003. The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase to 140,000 students in the year 2002/3. WFP's school feeding project seeks to increase enrollment, stabilize attendance and reduce drop-out rates. Particular emphasis has been placed on improving girls' attendance rates at selected kindergartens and primary schools. Parents are being encouraged to actively contribute to the operation of these schools. School feeding also improves children's ability to concentrate and assimilate information by relieving short term hunger.
	WFP Ethiopia has agreed with the Government to allow wheat to be imported and swapped with locally produced biscuits and Famix. Thus, Donors unable to provide cash could contribute additional resources to help the project. WFP hopes to include an additional 75,000 students per year. With support from the Ministry of Education, WFP is actively seeking to mobilise resources for water point and latrine construction at assisted schools, which will greatly contribute to creating a conducive environment for girls.
	Achievements
	Currently some 102,000 primary school children, of whom 43 percent are girls, are participating in the highly food insecure areas of Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Oromia. The School Feeding Manual was revised by an international consultant and translated into Amharic. WFP Ethiopia purchased from local and international markets non-food items for the project worth US $72,000. Items included 97,000 cups, 20,000 plates, 436 cooking pots, 436 buckets, 436 basins, 436 tubs, 436 drums and one vehicle for monitoring. WFP Ethiopia's support to the education sector under this project was officially recognized in 1998 as part of the Education Sector Development Programme (ESDP), which is strongly supported by major Donors.


Top	Urban Food Assistance Facility
	Almost 80% of Addis Ababa's 2.4 million population are slum dwellers or squatters. Recent NGO surveys in slum neighborhoods suggest that 60-75% of the households are headed by single mothers with multiple children. WFP's food assistance is channeled through NGOs in the poorest kebeles, or neighborhoods, in Addis Ababa. The project aims to reach malnourished children under five, pregnant and nursing women and other men and women belonging to the most vulnerable segments of society. This goal is achieved through food interventions in support of mother and child health care activities, income generating activity schemes, skills training and food-for-work activities. The women visiting health centers also receive services such as nutrition, health and family planning education, primary health care and social development. Infrastructure works improve hygienic and sanitary conditions in the kebeles, contribute to a healthier living environment and provide on-the-job-training in construction skills.

	Urban Assistance	9432	beneficiaries
		7,166	MT Wheat
		622	MT Famix

	This programme is improving the living standards and alleviating the food insecurity of poor households in the poorest slum areas of Addis Ababa. Food aid is being provided through local NGOs for development activities. The nutritional status of pregnant and nursing mothers is being improved with additional food and micro-nutrients. Children under the age of two are receiving a supplementary ration in conjunction with their enrollment in a growth monitoring programme. These measures aim to increase the attendance of mothers and children at healthcare and family planning facilities.
	WFP works with several NGOs on this project:
	Ethiopian Aid
	CARE Ethiopia
	World Ort Union
	Women Empowerment and Assistance Forum
	Nazareth Children Integrated Development
	GOAL Ethiopia and the Street Children Programme
	Daughters of Charity
	Abebech Gobena Orphanage and School
	Integrated Holistic Approach
	The Association for the Rehabilitation of Girls
	Cheshire Foundation Ethiopia
	The Ethiopian Gemini Trust
	Almaz Children and Family Support Organization
	Achievements
	A one day workshop on work norms in an urban setting was organized by WFP for its implementing partners involved in infrastructure upgrading activities. A Nutritional Baseline Survey for the micro-nutrient sub-component was carried out. Workshops on implementation enhancement and qualitative monitoring were organized by WFP for its implementing partners. WFP Ethiopia organized the first NGO information sharing forum to be held on a quarterly basis in future. World Food Day was celebrated with a lunch for children at three urban NGOs. WFP hosted Donor visits to several NGOs in December.


Top	Vulnerability Analysis & Mapping
Top	The Country Office Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Unit, established in late 1994, aims to provide decision makers with insights into the vulnerability of populations and their changing food security status. Information generated by the VAM Unit is used to support both development and relief activities. Work of the unit falls into three main areas: food needs assessment, current season monitoring and early warning and support for Country Office development programmes and government capacity building.
	Food needs assessment is one of VAM's primary activities. A needs assessment methodology has been developed and is critical to the FAO/WFP annual assessment of needs conducted every fall. The results of the assessment are published in the FAO/WFP Food and Crop Assessment which provides Donors with valuable information on which to base their relief pledges. Existing information, mostly from Government Ministries, and data collected during rural appraisals undertaken by the Country Office, with the Government of Ethiopia, Donors and NGOs is collected and analyzed.
	VAM has systematized Current Season Monitoring and Early Warning within the Country Office to regularly monitor the progression of the agricultural season locally. Satellite images are received and processed every 10 days to provide updates on the progression of the rainy season. Data is used for maps and graphs, which are shared with WFP's key collaborating partners. Thus, potential problem areas are more precisely defined and areas can be targeted for field visits.
	VAM takes the lead role within the Country Office in establishing documented, standardized official data sets detailing demographics, meteorology, market prices, food-aid, agriculture, transportation, topography and education. The unit also enables project officers and decision makers to maximize the efficiency of targeting and resource allocation by developing maps which clearly juxtapose the geographic locations of development projects with historical food insecurity patterns.
	Achievements
	The data produced by VAM for food needs assessment is consistently relied upon in deriving reliable food aid requirements. Harmonization between WFP and DPPC on needs assessment via the joint technical working group. VAM databases have recently been made more accessible to the Country Office via storage of the data on the Country Office local area network. Potential users have been trained on to how to access these data sets. Mapping "areas and populations in need" were produced, covering more than 40 years. These maps, as well as papers on localized food security, have been presented by the VAM Unit at various workshops and conferences attended by food security experts and decision makers. Assisting host country government agencies, Donors and NGOs in the areas of mapping and database management.


Top	Contingency Plan
	When the armed conflict erupted between Ethiopia and Eritrea in May 1998, about 170,000 people were displaced as a result of the hostilities. Since the dispute has remained unresolved and the number of displaced has increased to over 250,000 people, WFP Ethiopia has prepared contingency plans for various possible scenarios on how the Country Office would respond in terms of food delivery and distribution. Under the UN Country Team Contingency Plan, WFP, UNDP, EUE, FAO, UNICEF and IOM would work together to ensure that the displaced, the communities hosting the displaced and returnees have sufficient food to meet their nutritional needs.
	The Country Office's relief unit recently participated in a multi-agency assessment of displaced people due to the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict. This effort included a contingency planning exercise whereby estimates of "potentially displaced" were generated given various scenarios involving an escalating conflict. VAM's geographic information system (GIS) and mapping capabilities, along with its local level population data sets, were instrumental in estimating numbers of people, and thus potentially displaced, living within and near current conflict areas.
	Ongoing monitoring of in-country food stocks, road conditions, warehousing capacities and the availability of trucks will enable the Logistics Unit to respond to emergencies. Storage facilities in the affected regions and alternate transportation options have been reviewed. Coordination between the Country Office and the Ethiopian Food Security Reserve Authority (EFSRA) is ongoing. Under the UN Country Team Contingency Plan, the Logistics Unit will coordinate the efficient transport of relief supplies and personnel with the Government.

Top	Highlights of Donor Assistance to Ethiopia
	Over the last fourteen years the country has received a total of 9.5 million MT of food assistance, or an average of 677,500 MT per year. Since 1990, and up until the current crisis, the majority of these deliveries passed through the port of Assab in Eritrea. For the period 1990-1997, WFP has been the primary supplier (31.6%) of Donor food aid to the country, followed by bilateral donations from the United States (26.9%) and the European Union (20.8%). The majority of total food aid deliveries during this period have gone to support emergency and refugee operations (57% and 16% respectively).

	DONOR	RELIEF	DEVELOPMENT	REFUGEE	TOTAL	% OF 1998 TOTAL
	Australia	7,860	2,700	0	10,560	4.8%
	Austria	0	0	126	126	0.1%
	Belgium	0	0	2,000	2,000	0.9%
	Canada	0	5,620	0	5,620	2.5%
	Denmark	7,247	0	3,215	10,462	4.7%
	EU	36,105	20,787	24,234	81,126	36.6%
	Finland	986	0	0	986	0.4%
	France	3,000	0	0	3,000	1.4%
	Germany	0	3,630	10,238	13,868	6.2%
	Ireland	776	775	308	1,859	0.8%
	Japan	2,902	1,786	0	4,688	2.1%
	Netherlands	702	0	4,230	4,932	2.2%
	Norway	3,107	0	0	3,107	1.4%
	Sweden	13,116	9,200	1,210	23,526	10.6%
	Switzerland	2,000	0	2,679	4,679	2.1%
	UK	0	0	4,950	4,950	2.2%
	USA	3,876	10,000	28,800	42,676	19.2%
	WFP	0	3,737	0	3,737	1.7%
	TOTAL	81,677	58,235	81,990	221,902	100%

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