Update CCRDA. House Speaker Abadula Gemeda Thanks CSOs for Their Contribution to the Development of Ethiopia IN THIS ISSUE

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1 CCRDA Update Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Associations (CCRDA) Quarterly Newsletter Vol. 4 Issue 2 April 2015 House Speaker Abadula Gemeda Thanks CSOs for Their Contribution to the Development of Ethiopia Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives, Abadula Gemeda, addressing the 242nd CCRDA General Assembly Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives Abadula Gemeda thanked CSOs for their contribution to the development of the country. In his remark, at the 242 nd General Assembly CCRDA held on March 30, 2015,... Cont d on page 2 IN THIS ISSUE BMFS Holds Its annual Partners Meeting at CCRDA..Page 3 Members of Parliament Visit Exemplary Projects of CCRDA Members CSOs Against Ebola..Page 4 Radio Discussion on GO-NGO Partnership...Page 5 CCRDA in Tigray.Page 7 Domestic Health Financing...Page 8 1 MPs visiting a farmer s plot in East Shewa Zone, Oromia See the news on Page 2

2 CCRDA Update Vol. 4 No. 2 April 2015 Cont d from page 1 House Speaker Abadula Gemeda recalled that NGOs/CSOs were established in Ethiopia when the country was hit by drought and famine. He noted that by then few organizations played a key role in saving lives. Now CSOs are focusing on development and are making important contributions, the House Speaker said. He told the participants of the General Assembly that MPs who visited projects of CCRDA members recently could become eye witnesses of the important contributions CSOs are making to the development of the country. He said whether a charity organization is local or international their goal should be creating a better world and better living condition. He said the government has established the Charities and Societies Agency and issued NGO law to help the society get maximum benefit from the interventions of CSOs. Abadula appreciated CSOs contribution in eradicating polio, in fighting HIV and in supporting the construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. He said, We are proud of you and we thank you. The Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives happily accepted Dr Meshesha s invitation to visit the projects of member organizations of CCRDA. The Speaker was asked some questions. While answering about what the government thinks about CSOs, he said the government seriously looks at CSOs that involve in politics with money acquired from abroad. He said, We haven t been colonized even when colonizers came with arms. We don t want to give in to the interests of foreigners that come with dollars. If we open a door and yield in to them, we will be forced to open many doors; and we don t want that to happen. He explained that the Ethiopian government would rather refuse to accept a lot of money than yield in to various interests of foreigners. And he advised the participants of the General Assembly not to fear anything as long as they are involved in development activities. Meanwhile Executive Director of CCRDA, Dr Meshesha Shewarega while presenting the 2014 annual report of CCRDA to the General Assembly said the Secretariat managed to implement nearly 90% of what it planned to achieve during the year. Cont d on Page 4 Members of Parliament Visit Exemplary Projects of CCRDA Members Members of the House of Peoples Representatives, Excellencies Abeba Yosef, Chairperson of the Social Affairs Standing Committee, he deputy Ayele Negeri, Vice Chairperson of the Natural Resources and Environment Affairs Standing Committee Dr Gemeda Dinegide, and a member of the Agricultural Affairs Standing Committee, Bogale Dukale visited four exemplary projects of member organizations of CCRDA from January 30 to February 1, Self Help s Seed Multiplication Project, left, World Vision s Humbo Carbon trade project, right The Members of Parliament (MPs) first visited the on-farm Seed Multiplication by small holder farmers in Gurage and Silte Zones implemented by Self Help Africa (SHA). Although SHA has handed over the project to the people, it is being well run by them. The farmers are organized in various primary cooperatives which are members of a very efficient union found in Butajira town. Bogale Dukale, a member of the Agricultural Affairs Standing Committee, said the number of members of the primary cooperatives is increasing which indicates that the cooperatives are being managed well. During the MPs visit to Humbo Community Assisted Natural Regeneration Project in Wolita Zone of the South Region, the MPs expressed satisfaction over World Visions effort to trade the carbon sequestered by the vast forest, which covers 2728 hectares of land. While visiting the Wolita Development Associations Liqa Secondary and Preparatory School in Sodo town, the MPs were told that the school stood first among all high schools in Ethiopia in the last academic year. All of its students joined different universities across the country. more comfortable by taking necessary measures. 2

3 CCRDA Update Vol. 4 No. 2 April 2015 BMSF Holds Its Annual Partners Review Meeting at CCRDA Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) Annual Partners Review Meeting was held from February 9 to 11, 2015 at CCRDA with the theme, Keeping Interventions Vibrant, Engaged and Effective. While opening the meeting CCRDA Executive Director, Dr Meshesha Shewarega, expressed his happiness over the decision of the foundation to hold its review meeting at CCRDA. He further said the CSO sector in Africa is at a trying moment, confronted with multitude of challenges; including restrictive NGO laws, increasing competition to get resource and increasing demand for inward and outward accountability. The CCRDA Executive Director appreciated BMFS Secure the Future for doing its level best to solve these problems by funding and building the capacity of NGOs. President of BMSF, John L. Damonti, on his part said his foundation is working mainly in the area of health to find solutions to type 2 diabetes, cancer, mental health problems, HIV/AIDS among others. He John L. Damonti said the BMSF Secure the Future (STF) program has achieved a lot in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 3 Participants of the BMFS Annual Partners Review meeting Through STF program BMSF was providing anti HIV drugs to HIV positive people when the drugs were not easily available. He said the interventions were effective and he underlined that the lessons learnt from HIV have to be broadened to other diseases. He also mentioned that STF s involvement in capacity building activities which includes the Post Graduate Diploma Program that is being given by CCRDA in collaboration with Ambo University. Director of BMFS STF Program, Phangisile Mtshali, on her part said, since 1999 BMSF STF invested 180 million US dollars and reached 22 African countries. She said STF program has been changing its priorities from HIV to cancer and TB. Regarding the 2011 to 2016 plan of priority programs, Mtshali, mentioned BMSF NGO Training institute. The CCRDA post graduate diploma program is part of the foundation s NGO training program. Forty three participants drawn from 11 countries were in attendance at the three day meeting. Phangisile Mtshali

4 CCRDA Update Vol 4. No. 2 April 2015 House Speaker Dr Meshesha said CCRDA raised more than 78,529,880 birr and channeled more than 80%, about 53 million birr, to its members. It used the remaining 20% for implementation of regular activities. It also organized big events such as good practice day, discussions with the World Bank and African Development Bank among others. The Executive Director also expressed his concern over the closing of more than 160 CSOs in the past six months. He mentioned lack of fund, inability to comply with 30:70 directive and lack of partnership agreement with concerned government organizations as the main reasons for the closing of the organizations. The Executive Director noted that early warning and early support may help save similar other organizations from being closed in the future. Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA) has ordered 32 intermediary organizations, which do not implement programs but provide funds for different local organizations, to implement projects themselves. Dr Meshesha said CCR- DA is discussing with ChSA regarding intermediary organizations as the issue is a question of survival for many local NGOs and as the country loses a lot of resources as a result. CSOs to Combat Ebola An orientation workshop on Ebola was held at CCRDA on February 10, The workshop was organized by the Ethiopian Civil Societies Health Forum (ECSHF). While opening the workshop, Public Health Emergency Advisor with Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Dr Merawi Argaw said, Ebola is a national issue and can t be Dr Merawi Argaw, left, speaking at the workshop curtailed and controlled by the Ministry of Health alone but also with the participation of CSOs. According to Dr. Merawi, once Ebola breaks out, it will become a national security issue, and hence is treated by the government of Ethiopia with utmost attention. Revised Pension Proclamation to be Tabled for Parliament A draft revised pension proclamation that makes the provision of pension to employees of CSOs and private organizations compulsory is to be tabled to the Parliament. House Speaker Abadula visiting the CCRDA Resource Center Also during the General Assembly, Dr Florence Temu from AMREF was elected as a board member. The participants also elected 6 people for the CCRDA Membership Development Committee, and another 6 for the CCRDA Organizational Development and Financial Management Committee. About 180 members were in attendance at the General Assembly. According to Private Organizations Employees Pension Proclamation No. 715/2011, it is up to the employees to decide to be provided pension or to continue having their provident fund (PF). Only those that were employed by CSOs after July 2011 have been obliged to be provided with pension. According to the Amharic Reporter newspaper published on May 31, 2015, the revised proclamation makes compulsory the provision of pension to all NGO/ CSO employees. As Reporter quoted the draft proclamation, the objective is to make the social security system uniform across all employees of NGOs/CSOs and to make the family members of the employees beneficiaries of the pension, as the provident fund does not provide long lasting social security rights and benefits to family members. 4

5 CCRDA Update Vol 4. No. 2 April 2015 Radio Discussion Held on GO-NGO Partnership in Implement- A radio discussion was held with the topic GO NGO Partnership in Implementing the Growth and Transformation Plan on February 26, 2015 at Fana Broadcasting Corporate. Opening the discussion Deputy Director of the Charities and Societies Agency (ChSA), Fantaye Gezahegn said, the discussion will help to look into the weaknesses and strengths in GO-NGO partnership and learn from them for the more efficient implementation of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP2) in the coming fiscal year. She noted that as efforts are being exerted by both ChSA and NGO networks to solve various challenges, the future would be brighter for the sector. In his presentation, CCRDA Executive Director, Dr Meshesha Shewarega said the government s role can not be replaced by NGOs. He said currently the contraceptive supply in the country has increased to 29 per cent and the reproductive service seeking behavior of newly married couples has reached 42 % because of the joint efforts of GOs and NGOs. He further said that NGOs had helped the government to design population policy, social protection law, climate change policy among others. Dr Meshesha presented evidences that indicated that NGOs have given priorities to those sectors that the government has given more attention in the GTP. Dr Meshesha Shewarega, left, the participants of the discussion, center, Fantaye Gezahegn, right Domestic Health Financing... Cont d from Page 8 Rosemary Mburu, Executive Director of World AIDS Campaign International, during her presentation on domestic health financing, said according to World Health Organization s estimate 44 dollars is the minimum spending per person per year needed to provide basic, life-saving services. But, Mburu said, a lot of African countries are investing much, much less than that. She further indicated that according to the Abuja Declaration, a country has to allocate 15% of its budget for health care. She told the participants that her country Kenya has allocated 5.8 % of its budget. It was known that Ethiopia allocated 4.4% of its annual budget for health care financing. Mburu said the Global Rosemary Mburu Fund and its donors want to see efforts to raise funds domestically, and this is a clear direction which requires Africa to mobilize funds for its health sector. Lulseged Ageze, from Abt Associates, on his part said almost 50% of Ethiopia s health care expenditure comes from external sources, 34% from households, and 16% from government. He talked about first and second generation reforms introduced by the government. He said pre-payment mechanism, which is health insurance, is the second generation reform that is being accepted by more and more woredas and that would greatly help to ensure domestic health financing. 5

6 CCRDA Update Vol. 4 No. 2 April 2015 CSOs Discuss Health Insurance Lulseged Ageze, left, the participants, center, and Assefa Yirgaalem, right Member organizations of the Ethiopian Civil Societies Health Forum (ECSHF) discussed the health insurance system that the government is implementing in a meeting held at CCRDA on March 12, Lulseged Ageze, a staff of Abt Associates currently working with Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI), in his presentation on the health insurance service the government is providing said health insurance is aimed at supporting one another and providing quality health service to all citizens. The health insurance is also aimed at increasing the frequency of an individual s visit to health institutions from 0.33 times in 2009/10 to 2.5 times. According to Lulseged, health insurance helps avoid unexpected and unnecessary medical treatment cost incurred by beneficiaries. It also avoids the shortage of health financing the country faces by laying the foundation for a sustainable health financing system and reducing the country s dependency on external support. According to Lulseged, currently, Ethiopia s 50% health coverage cost is covered by donations received from abroad. Beneficiaries visiting health centers unnecessarily and physicians ordering for unnecessary medical tests are the challenges such system might face, Lulseged explained. Aseffa Yirgalem, Director of Communication and Mobilization Directorate at Ethiopian Health Insurance Agency, in his presentation on the rules and law of Social Health Insurance System said to address the challenges Lulseged mentioned the beneficiaries will be made to pay 5% of the service cost. All employees of governmental and non-governmental organizations and employees of private organizations that have more than 10 staff can be beneficiaries of the health insurance service if they have been employed for more than three months, Assefa said quoting the law. The families of the employees, his/her spouse and children below 18 years of age will also benefit from the service. The service provided includes primary health care and the healing treatment of some other diseases. The service mainly includes out-patient and in-patient, child delivery and surgery. Both employers and employees pay contribution of similar percentage of their incomes. Assefa said the government established the Ethiopian Health Insurance Agency to make sure the implementation of the health system. The law has been ratified in July The participants discussed over the service and the law after the presentations. 6 Newly Accepted CCRDA Members 1 Love for Children and Family Development Charitable Organizations 2 Integrated Community Education and Development Association 3 Progress Integrated Community Development Organization 4 Tsere HIV/AIDS Biheryawe Setoch Timret 5 A Glimmer of Hope Climate Poverty Illuminate lives 6 Bako and Addis Ababa for the Blind and the Needy Association 7 Children s Hope Chest 8 Canadian feed the Children 9 Faith in Action 10 Mother and Child Development Organization 11 Semaria Social Rehabilitation center 12 Gambella Children and Community Development Organization 13 Somali Ethiopian Relief and Development Association

7 CCRDA Update Vol. 4 No. 2 April 2015 USAID Health Office Director Visits CCRDA CCRDA in Tigray Director of the Health Office of USAID in Ethiopia, Elise Jensen paid a visit to CCRDA office on January 29, During her visit she held discussion with CCRDA Executive Director, Dr Meshesha Shewarega and directors of the different core teams of CCRDA. After she was introduced to the various activities of CCRDA, she said it was important to know an organization like CCR- DA. She said USAID is not structured to support small local organizations and she said it might be appropriate to work with CCRDA to support them through the consortium. At a consultative meeting held on April 20, 2015 in Mekele, Tigray, CCRDA, Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray (ACSOT) and the Tigray Regional Government agreed to strengthen the regional GO- NGO partnership. In response to her question regarding the challenges that CCRDA members are currently facing, Dr Meshesha Shewarega underline shortage of Elise Jensen resource as the major challenge most NGOs are facing in Ethiopia today. He said the competition to get resource is getting tougher by the day. He also mentioned declining quality of NGO staff as the second most important challenge which he said is related to shortage of resource and lack of capacity of NGOs to pay to more competent staff. Dr Meshesha also mentioned the stringent requirement for renewal of license as another challenge. While elaborating this he said an NGO has to implement certain projects within three years after its establishment. And because of resource shortage, that is becoming very difficult, the CCRDA Executive Director said. According to Dr Meshesha, the very continuity of the NGO sector has been highly challenged because of the above mentioned and some other problems. And he underlined the need for the support of organizations such as USAID. Some of the participants of the consultative meeting from left to right, Meaza Taddele, Dr Meshesha Shewarega, Daniel Assefa, Yirga G/Egzihabher and Abraham The meeting was held on April 20, 2015 at Tigray National Regional State Finance and Economic Development Bureau, Mekele Town. On this joint consultative meeting, a collective agreement has been reached to Strengthens the partnership between CSOs and the Regional Government Bureaus, by reinforcing the already started GO-COs partnership Forum and creating conducive working environments for Charity Organization working in the Region. Executive Director of CCRDA, Dr Meshesha Shewarega, said CCRDA will do its level best to strengthen the partnership together with its member CSOs in Tigray. Head of the Tigray Region Finance and Economic Development Bureau, Daniel Assefa, on his part said the NGO Coordination Desk at his office would closely work with CCRDA and the regional Net-work ACSOT to strengthen the regional government s partnership with CSOs working in Tigray. 7

8 CCRDA News Vol. 4 No. 2 April 2015 Domestic Health Financing: Important for Better Health Care Provision Dr Meshesha Shewarega, middle, while speaking about Ethiopia s domestic health financing CCRDA Executive Director, Dr Meshesha Shewarega, said there are various efforts in Ethiopia with regard to domestic health financing. Speaking at the opening of a consultative meeting on domestic Health financing, Dr Meshesha said, Ethiopia is making encouraging strides in solving health problems and in domestic health financing. He mentioned the private service in government hospitals that is aimed at retaining specialized doctors, health insurance, expansion of social security coverage to the private sector and NGOs as some encouraging steps taken by the Ethiopian government. Dr Meshesha further said that health care in Africa is heavily dependent on foreign funding. Excessive dependency on external funding makes countries vulnerable, the Executive Director added. And he underlined the need for domestic resource mobilization....cont d on page 5 Participants of the consultative meeting MPs Visit... Out of the 76 students that completed their preparatory education last year, 71 joined medical schools while 5 decided to become engineers. Director of the school Yohannes Lencha attributed the success of the semi boarding school for the continuous assessment of students by the teachers and Wolita Development Association. The MPs appreciated the school s success. They said the school should provide more computers to the students and make the school environmenthe last project visited by the MPs is that of International development Enterprises (ide s) in East Shewa Zone on the outskirts of Ziway town. The MPs could see the tangible difference the simple pump introduced by ide had made in the lives of farmers years after ide terminated working there. Farmers ensured the sustainability of the simple technology by maintaining it themselves and irrigating their plots of land with the ground water they pump using the simple pump they are introduced to. Abeba Yosef, Chairperson of the Social Affairs Standing Committee, said that she was happy to see the difference the simple technology introduced by ide could make to the lives of poor farmers. All MPs appreciated the successful efforts of NGOs to change Ethiopia for the better working together with the government. They also visited the CCRDA office in Addis Ababa at the end of their visit. Executive Director of CCRDA, Dr Meshesha Shewarega, called the visit historical as it is the first of its kind since the establishment of CCRDA. He thanked the MPs for taking the initiative to visit the projects of CCRDA members, which he believed would forge ties between government and NGOs. 8