Ethiopia - OCHANet

Fig 17: Borena zone task force coordination map
143. Task forces were established at the zonal level. 46 They also oversaw committees at the woreda
and kebele, the main implementing levels. Whilst this coordination worked well and was much
appreciated by partner agencies, it was often less systematic than regional coordination. Gaps
were identified and covered but the packages people received depended to an extent on the
implementing agency. In Borena, cash for work programmes varied between Birr 350 and Birr 750
per month depending on the agency (NGO) involved. Some woredas saw re-stocking programmes,
whilst others did not appear to have done so at the time of the evaluation.
144. Such variation appears to be less about the authorities’ desire to ensure equity and more
about how agencies view the situation and where they wish to work. In SNNP the coordination was
much more systematic, reflecting a harder approach on the part of the regional authorities to coordination.
NGOs, when they were allowed to work (and this was universally late), were allocated areas
and effectively did the same thing – support to OTPs and SCs. This ensured uniformity of assistance
– a good thing – but the delay in allowing work to start was frustrating for Woreda officials who
could see the situation evolving. In reality NGOs with resources and presence started their support
before receiving official sanction, meaning the bureaucratic delays did not hinder the response,
apart from in those areas without ongoing NGO support.
46 In Borena zone (Yabello, Oromia region), for example, the very active heads of zone and relevant departments held weekly partner meetings
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