download
(PDF Document)

This report presents the findings of the exploratory study conducted on behalf of the Drylands Coordination Group (DCG). The Terms of Reference (ToR) instructed the consultant to make a regional analysis to identify target areas, development priorities and NGOs that are interested to work in partnership with DCG members in selected areas.

The main part of the study was conducted in May 1999 when the whole country was subjected once again to the failures of the small rains. The effects were emerging both in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) as well as in the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS). The focus of the study was on the lowland zones in SNNPRS and on the dry highlands in the ANRS. The consultant has expressed his impressions and recommendations on the basis of interviews, documents he reviewed and personal observation he made while visiting some of potential target areas. It must be appreciated that at the outset the study does not pretend to be a formal baseline survey but a purposive precursor to such a study in selected woreda(s).

The focus of the study was on two regions of Ethiopia. These were (A) The Southern Nations, Nationalities and People Regional State (SNNPRS); and (B) The Amhara National Regional State (ANRS). They were selected on the basis of the following criteria and/or rational; (a) prevailing peace and stability; (b) accessibility; (c) degree of environmental degradation; (d) vulnerability of the rural poor; (e) the will and preparedness of regional and local governments for development cooperation with NGOs. The following are thus brief accounts on each of the regions.