Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

organizing themselves like the region’s youth and women associations. On top of the lack of
maturity, the activities of some self initiated associations like the Afar Pastoralist Youth
Association (APYA) are also limited in scope due to the lack of finance and logistic
problems.
o While the freedom and autonomy an important quality of self initiated associations like
APYA, their activities are often limited because they are solely dependent on membership
registration and contribution. On the contrary, the regional government sponsored the
initiation of Afar youth and women association which are in the process of formation. The
formation of these associations is politically motivated in that the idea was initiated only after
realizing that the youth and women took sides with the opposition parties during the 2005
election. Thus, the youth and women associations which are formed through the sponsorship
of regional government would not have similar freedom and functional autonomy since their
formation is politically motivated.
o Many NGOs that operate in Afar region undertake activities that combine development,
service provision with emergency responses that aim to mitigate disaster and vulnerability to
major shocks associated with drought. Nevertheless, given the high risk and incidences of
vulnerability to disaster, the number of NGOs operational in the region is very small. In
addition, the capacity of existing NGOs does not allow them to pursue long-term intervention
programmes that would address the multi-faceted problems of agro-pastoral production
system and vulnerable household livelihood.
o As the region is characterized by high level of illiteracy, lack of social services and
infrastructure, development activities that aim to improve access to the basic social services
particularly education, health, water supply, etc are important sectors in which NGOs
participate and contribute significantly. In order to provide these services, relief and
emergency responses programmes should also be carried out as complementary activities that
simultaneously address the immediate problems particularly famine and food insecurity.
o The scope of programmes and activity coverage of NGOs operational in the region differ
because of their differences in resource capacity, specialization and the nature of activity in
which they are engaged. Nevertheless, the activities areas of some NGOs appear to be too
many while the mature and experienced ones engage in few but clearly defined and more
focused activity sectors.
o Apparently, NGOs that undertake activities in which they have comparative advantage due to
the technical capacity acquired and specializations developed in specific activity areas are
often effective in their development intervention and/or service provision activities. On the
contrary, the lack of specialty more likely contributes to weak performances and
ineffectiveness of those NGOs whose activities spread across diverse sectors. Therefore, in
order to enhance their contribution to development and service provision, both large and
small NGOs should have well defined program areas in which they have the expertise and
experience that enable them to be more effective.
o The NSA environment in Afar region appears relatively more enabling especially after the
NGO guideline was prepared and circulated for comment and feedback. According to the key
informants, the regional council is expected to ratify the final guideline which incorporates
input and feedback from NGO representatives. Even without the guideline, NGOs operational
in the region obtain regular support from the respective regional sector offices and closely
work in project monitoring and evaluation.
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