Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

technology like feed and fodder development, vet, vaccination and other extension
services.
• In recognition of the this problem, the Government’s efforts have focused on addressing
the pastoral production system, expanding access to primary education, the construction
of health infrastructure and water supply in order to ensure access to these services. In
education sector, the adoption and expansion of the Alternative Basic Education (ABE)
school system has been a strategy in SNRS which is one of the underserved pastoral and
agro-pastoral areas of the country. Nevertheless, the SNRS has still the second lowest
gross enrolment rate in Ethiopia (20.3%) and the lowest girl’s participation rates (18.3%)
(MOE, 2005). Despite the construction of health infrastructure particularly health posts,
access to health services and health service coverage is also at a very low level because
due to the shortage of trained manpower.
• Apart from the underdeveloped infrastructure and low level of socio-economic
development, the lack of peace and security is an important factor that limits
development in this region. On top of the major war that devastated the livelihood means
and resulted in the loss of life and resources, internal conflicts among clans and also
armed guerrilla that cause intermittent attacks on troops and residents also affects the
normal life of the people in this region.
• Apart from the internal conflicts that occur occasionally, the outbreak of war in Somalia
recently has also have negative impact on the peace and stability of the region. In
addition to imposing difficulties on the governance system of the region, the lack of
peace and security will also impair development efforts since mobility of people will be
difficult. This is also one of the major challenges for NSA especially the NGOs operating
in SNRS.
\NSA in Somali NRS - from the previous mapping
o The presence of few NSAs with limited capacity in this vast and inhospitable area
inhabited mainly by nomadic pastoralists that creates unique challenges for the NSAs;
o National NGOs that are founded by people/elites of the region have been undertaking
very useful development and service delivery activities;
o Two examples of these NGOs interviewed for the study are Mother and Child
Development Organisation and Hope for the Horn. The study mentions the Ogaden
Welfare and Development Association and Pastoral Concern as the other examples of the
other national NGOs interviewed and while Save the Children UK is the only INGO
mentioned to have been operational in the Region.
2. Major highlights of current findings
• Taking into account the livelihoods of the population and also its susceptibility to
disasters linked with drought and rain shortage, interventions that target pastoral
production systems like livestock feed and fodder, vet and vaccination services and water
supply are major thematic areas of NSA especially NGOs in SNRS. In addition, food
security and emergency programs like relief food and water supply are also important
areas of intervention.
• Due to the lack of basic social and economic infrastructure like school, health and potable
water, there are also projects that aim at the construction of these facilities in order to
15