COMMUNITY-LED ACCELERATED WASH (COWASH) UN-OFFICIAL MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT

Transcription

1 COMMUNITY-LED ACCELERATED WASH (COWASH) UN-OFFICIAL MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER 2014

2 1 FOREWORD The purpose of this Monthly Report is to record the major actions and issues taken place during the reporting month and analyze the possible changes, delays and their effects on the COWASH implementation. The nature of the report is TOTALLY UN-OFFICIAL information sharing between the Ramboll staff and regional RSU Team Leaders and should not be referred in any reports or documents. One of the functions of the report is to be a good reminder when preparing the OFFICIAL Quarterly and Annual reports. The language and statements in this report are not official statements and should therefore be understood only in terms of information sharing. 2 COMMUNITY MANAGED PROJECT APPROACH SCALED UP AT NATIONAL LEVEL 2.1 MANUALS AND GUIDELINES CMP Implementation Manual The presentation of the CMP Implementation Manual to MoWIE has been postponed several times since August The difficulty in organizing the presentation is to find time for the MoWIE staff to be present in the presentation. The presentation was postponed 2 times in October and two times in November. The manual has not yet been submitted for MoFED approval. The delay of the manual approval delays the testing of CMP approach in One WASH conditions and ultimately CMP scaling up to One WASH will be delayed. RWS O&M Manual and Strategic Framework Out of the 18 manual parts expected to be prepared by the consultant contracted for this purpose for the RPS and pastoralist areas water supply technologies O&M management manual, during the reporting month four new parts (shaded in yellow) have been submitted to the task force. This makes the total manual parts submitted to the task force by the consultant to 14 as shown in the following table. Volume I Technical O&M requirement for RPS Volume II Managements requirement for O&M of RPS Pastoralist areas WS technologies Part B Water sources for water supply Part A Financial management Part B Sand Dam Part C Electro-mechanical equipments Part B - Community based Part E Solar Power management Part D Transmission and distribution system Part D Human Power and Capacity Building Part E - Spare part supply and management Part F Equipment and tools management Part G Water audit and leakage detection and control Part H - Asset management for water supply system Guideline for business plan preparation Part I Water Quality M&E 2

3 GIS based mapping training manual No progress. GISE has been working in Metekel for FinnWASH during the whole November. Climate risk screening manual and training materials In November COWASH succeeded to communicate with ODI and ODI promised to deliver the agreed manual in short time. COWASH also took the issue to DFID in order to put pressure on ODI output delivery. Social/Public Audit Guideline Accountability to consumers is not yet well developed in Ethiopia and will become increasingly important as a sector wide approach is adopted. HRDS has started to develop a concept paper on how social accountability could be strengthened and mainstreamed into COWASH. 2.2 STANDARDIZING THE PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING Phase I completion report The Phase I completion report (June 2011-September 2014) has been under preparation in November but could not be finalized in November Q1 report of 2007 EFY The Q1 summary report, mainly focusing on Component 1, was prepared and submitted to MoWIE in October. This report is not complete as the regional achievements have not been included. The preparation of the detailed Q1 performance report was expected to be started in the October. However, the preparation of the report has been started only during the reporting month due to a delay with the performance reports of the regions. So far, only 2 regions have submitted their performance report of the first quarter and others informed that they don t have much accomplishments due to the delays in the approval of their annual plans. 2.3 RESEARCH PhD research The PhD student, Beshah Mogesse submitted the Article 1 for the international Journal to be published. COWASH commented the Article 2. Training Impact Assessment of 2006 trainings The HRDS drafted the ToR for the Training Impact Assessment in Oromia and SNNR regions trainings conducted in 2006 EFY. The consultancy is planned for the 3 rd quarter of the current fiscal year. MSc thesis by Gizachew Asmare (Gonji Kolella CMP supervisor) The research on the Assessment of Potable Water Access & Users service satisfaction in Gonji Kolella woreda rural communities during CMP implementation was ongoing on in November. 3

4 MSc Thesis by Addisu Fente (Amhara RSU Zonal Advisor) Ato Addisu Fente is studying MSc degree in rural development management at Bahir Dar University. He has proposed COWASH to support the finalization of his research titled: Community Participation processes, practices and challenges in rural water supply development. MSc Thesis by Gedefaw Tilahun (Student from Arbaminch University) Ato Gedefaw Tilahun has proposed COWASH to support the finalization of his thesis aiming to focus in detailed to the CMP approach impact on water supply sustainability in Dagadamot woreda. Ato Gedefaw has worked before in Dagadamot woreda water office. 2.4 INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (IEC) ON CMP IMPLEMENTATION MODALITY ENHANCED. International conferences There was no COWASH sponsored participation in the international conferences in November. Demands have been received from regional stakeholders to include them into some relevant international conference sponsored by COWASH. The options of the next potential international conferences are a) 7 th World Water Forum 2015 (Water for Our Future) on April 12-17, 2015 in Daegu, South Korea or b) Dry Toilet conference in Tampere Finland in August 19 22, MoWIE monitoring on COWASH Ato Dawit Kinfe & and Ato Eyasu Guta conducted field monitoring on COWASH in September 2014 in Guangua woreda in Amhara region, Kersa Woreda in Oromia region and Arbaminch Zuria and Chencha woredas in SNNP region. The monitoring was also conducted in Mandura woreda in Benishangul Gumuz region. The monitoring report was published in November for COWASH and FinnWASH comments. COWASH Exhibition in Bahir Dar on January 9, 2015 Six Government of Finland financed development cooperation projects will organize an exhibition on January 9, 2015 in Bahir Dar as part of the visit of the Minister of Development Cooperation of Finland Ms Sirpa Paatero. Ms Paatero will also visit the COWASH water and sanitation activity site in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda. The preparations for the exhibition and site visit started already in November and the new Junior Expert and Communication Specialist will take the main responsibility of the preparation and production of the materials for the visit. The responsibility of the practical arrangements of the visit will be carried by AGRO-BIG project. CMP WEB page Web page was updated several times in November 2014 by the CTA. Abichu gena case study was one of the new downloaded documents to the webpage. Please visit the 4

5 Case study of COWASH to the Water Integrity Network (WIN) Flagship Publication The Water Integrity Network (WIN) and other institutional partners are working on a flagship publication on water integrity which will be released at Stockholm World Water Week WIN proposed to include COWASH as a case study in the section of 'WRM and Access to Water and Sanitation in Rural Areas' of the flagship publication. Accordingly COWASH team drafted the case study, which has been published here: CMP IMPLEMENTATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT Capacity building strategy A work has been started by a short term consultant, Human Resources Development Specialist, on the areas of the Training Impact Research findings and recommendations. Once the work is finalized the strategy for the COWASH Capacity Building will be revised Training of Regional Support Unit Staffs Regional Support Unit (RSU) staffs participated on the Resources Mobilization and Project Management training which was organized from 3-28 November 2014 in Addis Ababa. Eight RSU members of COWASH Project (RSU Team Leaders and RSU Capacity Building Specialists), two from each region; Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and SNNP, took part in the training. Three selected modules namely a) Resource Mobilization, Project Planning and Proposal Writing b) Project Management C) Institutional Development and Organizational Strength were covered out of the four modules available for the training. The training which was held in Gudina Tumsa Training Center of Addis Ababa has attracted more than 60 participants from different non-governmental, inter-governmental, bilateral and religious organizations from across Africa. The training was organized and conducted by Regional Partnership for Resource Development (REPARED) and Institute of Fundraising and Resource Development which are based in Nairobi, Kenya. Stand for Vulnerable organization was the local NGO that coordinated the trainings from Ethiopia. Dr. John Chikati, Regional Coordinator of REPARED from Nairobi, Kenya was the main resource person of the whole training Modules. The same training program is scheduled to be organized in May and August in ONE WASH Phase I review and OWNP Phase II Program Document The One WASH Program project document review is to wait until the GTP II targets and indicators have been approved. Once the GTP II is approved the first Phase of the One WASH Program can be reviewed and the Phase II document designed to support the achievement of the GTP II targets. It is expected that the GTP II will be approved and published during the first six months of 2008 EFY. Therefore the review and design of One WASH Phase II may take place in the middle of 2008 EFY. One WASH personnel 5

6 NWCO is in a process to employ one expert from in-house (MoWIE staff) in few weeks. This new NWCO employee will take the responsibility of school WASH. Two more staff members for NWCO are still in a process of recruitment by the MoWIE HRD and are also expected to be selected soon. MSF 6 Undertakings No follow-up in November JTR and MSF CWA partners will conduct CWA-project review on December 9-19, This is according to the POM. The second JTR, which will be conducted by One WASH partners is planned to be conducted late January-early February Therefore the 2007 EFY MSF 7 may be conducted not earlier than March National Water Safety Planning Guideline and National Water Safety Planning Strategy CTA facilitated two half day meetings with the National CR-WSP working group to review and comment the draft Climate Resilient Water Safety Planning Strategic Framework for Ethiopia. Another half day workshop was organized to review and comment the Urban CR-WSP Guideline for Ethiopia. The Rural Climate Resilient WSP Guideline is expected to be submitted for comments in December M&E development and NWI update The DFID financed One WASH M&E consultancy tendering was ongoing the whole month of November Consultant selection is expected to take place in December and the consultancy is expected to start in January-February, NWCO is expecting strong support from COWASH for the selected consultant to start quickly and smoothly. Moreover, JMP Mission to Ethiopia came to Ethiopia as per the request of MoWIE. The main objective of the discussion was to discuss on the use of NWI data and other data reconciliation issues. COWASH s M&E Specialist participated in the meeting organized by UNICEF to collect ideas from WASH development partners for the discussion between JMP Mission and MoWIE. OWNP web site development No progress in November It is expected that the selected M&E consultant will take action on this in Until that time COWASH continues to provide support for One WASH through CMP website. WaterCredit No progress in November Sanitation Marketing Development Sanitation Marketing Multi-stakeholder Platform meeting was conducted in November 6, The MoH expressed their urgent request on the preparation of the Sanitation Business and Latrine Construction training manuals. COWASH was selected to lead the national working group to prepare the Latrine Construction training manual. In this connection two workshops (each one day) were organized and led by COWASH with the manual development group and 6

7 the content and some insights of the manual were already drafted in November The work will continue in December SMP also started to publish newsletter. The first newsletter Sani Mark Zena was published in November COWASH included the newsletter to CMP website WSWG WSWG secretariat has planned to conduct the WASH and WRM Technical Committee meetings as soon as possible. Due to the CWA review and due to the European Christmas holidays the meetings are expected to be postponed to January The Water Sector (WASH and WRM) 5 years Capacity Building plan and Capacity Building Pooled Fund proposal have not yet been finalized by the Secretariat. It is expected that second draft proposal for both will be submitted n December Consolidated WASH Account National WASH Program account to facilitate CWA has been opened in the National Bank. DFID has already transferred to the account 20 Million Pounds. UNICEF is in a process to transfer 1 MUSD. IDA (WB) is in a process to transfer 21 MUSD and AfDB has signed One WASH financing agreement with MoFED and loan for One WASH has been approved by the Parliament. First disbursement to CWA from AfDB is expected in December Per Diem payment harmonization Per Diem payment harmonization proposal prepared by the DAG group has been submitted for MoFED approval. No news of its approval from MoFED available. Knowledge status review Consultant selection by WSP is in process. The kick off of the review is expected by mid- December or in January 2015 and the review is planned to be completed in March Sustainability check consultancy UNICEF has drafted the TOR to recruit a consultant who will develop the sustainability check tool. This tool will be used annually to undertake sustainability checks throughout the duration of the OWNP. UNICEF will recruit the consultant directly upon endorsement of the TOR. COWASH commented the ToR for NWCO. OWNP Financial Manual update MoFED with World Bank drafted a ToR for the updating of the CWA Project Financial Manual and WB is considering financing the short term inputs of approximately 30 days to prepare the manual. MoFED is responsible for this output. Establishment of a Joint Financial Management Working Group for CWA project World Bank drafted a ToR for the Joint Financial Management Working Group and sent it for CWA partners comments. Joint CWA Project Review Mission World Bank with CWA partners will conduct a joint review at the Federal, Regional and Woreda levels on the readiness to start the OWNP implementation at scale. The review will take place 7

8 during 9-19 December 2014 and kick off meeting will be held on December 8, Closing meeting with the NWSC will be held on December 22, GTP II plan and indicators The draft GTP II plan (2008 to 2012) EFY of the water supply sub sector was presented at MoWIE 2006 EFY Annual performance and 2007 EFY annual plan review meeting held in Adama on November 18 and 19. The plan is presented so that regions and development partners can give their comments/contribution on the plan formally later on in writing. Some of the major goals of the GTP II plan with the respect to rural water supply sub sector include. Reach 100% water supply coverage to Afar and Somalia regions with the GTP I indicators (15l/c/d at 1.5Km radius for rural areas and 20l/c/d and 500 meter radius in urban areas). These regions are expected not to fulfill the GTP I target in the end of the 2007 EFY. Achieve 85% rural water supply coverage to all regions other than Somalia and Afar with a per capita demand of 25 liters and at 1km radius (improved service in terms of per capita demand and distance to improved water source). Reduce the non-functionality of rural water supply schemes from % at the end of 2007 EFY to 7% at the end of the GTP II. Legalization of all WASHCOs. Improve the MIS system in the sector. Training of 527,874 people (4,374 professionals, 13,000 medium level professionals, 510,000 drillers and operators, etc.) at federal, region, zone, woreda, kebele and community level. The goals in urban areas include achievement of 70% urban water supply coverage for 973 towns in Ethiopia, and reduction the unaccounted for water from 35% at the end of the 2007 EFY to 20% at the end of the GTP II. The total estimated budget of the sub sector (rural and urban) for GTP II is estimated to be Birr 44.8 Billion. GTP II plan has been so far drafted for national level only. Some region have sent their proposal for the GTP II plan, but not all regions. It looks like that there will be no time to organize consolidated workshop with the regions. Another challenge in the preparation of GTP II has been the baseline establishment. The present plan is prepared based on the assumption that all GTP I targets will be achieved. Regional level targets for the GTP II are still to be established. Hygiene and Environmental Sanitation (H&ES) Strategy H&ES strategy is under preparation by the MoH with strong support from the WSP and Addis Ababa University. This strategy will replace the 2005 Sanitation Strategy. Integrated Urban Hygiene and Sanitation Framework and Strategy Integrated Urban Hygiene and Sanitation Framework and Strategy are under preparation. The process is led by the MoH. 8

9 3 EMBASSY OF FINLAND/MFA ISSUES COWASH monthly coordination meeting was postponed to December due to busy schedules of Embassy and COWASH staff. Ms Tiina Byring-Ilboudo started in the Embassy of Finland as Water and Agriculture Counselor on November 3. The Minister of Development Cooperation of Finland, H.E Ms Sirpa Paatero will visit Ethiopia on January 8-10, COWASH together with other Finnish funded projects started preparations to facilitate the Minister s visit to Amhara region on January 9, COWASH MANAGEMENT The new COWASH Federal TA staff Ato Mussie Hailegeorgis, Crosscutting Specialist, joined COWASH from November 10, Ms Oona Rautiainen, Junior Expert started her work in COWASH also on November 10, 2014 in Finland by participating in the KEVALKU training course in the MFA and she joined the COWASH team in Addis Ababa on November 17, Ato Benti Ejigu, Communication Specialist, joined COWASH on November 17, IRC hosted CMP webpage agreement extension could not yet be finalized due to the internal re-arrangements in IRC. The webpage is working. Ms Alana Potter made short term consultancy visit to COWASH on November 2014 and also worked some additional days from Johannesburg achieving the following: a) Contribution to the Water Integrity Network COWASH case study proposal b) Review and finalization of MoWIE gender fact sheet into Gender and Water Development Conference proceedings: Gender Mainstreaming Information Sheet: The Ethiopian Experience. c) Draft ToR for training effectiveness and impact assessment consultancy in Oromia and SSNP regions. d) Review and comments on the sustainability check consultancy 5 PROJECT RELATED OUTPUTS (COMPONENT 2) 5.1 OROMIYA RWSC meeting The RSU has compiled the 2007 EFY plan and budget of the region based on the draft plan prepared by the woredas and zones and presented to the RWSC meeting for approval. The RWSC meeting was conducted on November 17, In the meeting the 2006 EFY programs of the project in the regions were discussed and approved by the committee. In addition the 2007 EFY plan of the project was presented, discussed and approved by the committee. The inclusion of 4 new CMP woredas and some increment in the salaries of the RSU has been discussed and an agreement was reached. 9

10 Selection of new CMP woredas and zone It. No. Name of zone Name of Woreda 1 South West Shoa (old zone) Kersa Mamila 2 West Shoa (old zone) Dire Enchine 3 Harro Gudurou Wolega (New zone) Abbay Chamo Harri The selection of the one new zone and four new woredas made the total number of CMP zones to 5 and woredas to 12 in the Oromia region. Performance at woredas The major activities performed in the 8 old woredas were 1) promotion of CMP to communities in CMP kebeles, 2) receiving of project applications and 3) conducting appraisals of the received applications. The summary of the major activities at each woredas are shown in the following table. Woreda Promotion Applcation recieved Appraisal WWT approval Implementation Jidda Promotion made in 12 kebeles in 26 potential communities which opened saving account at OCSSCO sub branch. Out of the 16 communities 5 are selected for shallow well drilling. Site selection for 5 shallow wells site selection has been finalized by the zone. Abichu gena Promotion has been made in 6 kebeles and KWT members are assisting communities in the preparation of the application but till now there is no formally filled applications received from communities. Gumay Promotion made in all CMP kebeles 37 water point applications were received 37 water points applications were desk appraised and field appraised 20 water points approved by WWT. WASHCO could not be trained in CMP management due to shortage of capacity building budget. Kersa Promotion made in 10 kebeles. Received 24 water point applications. 10

11 Woreda Promotion Applcation recieved Appraisal WWT approval Implementation Nono benja Promotion made in all CMP kebeles Received 74 community and 3 institutional water points applications. All of them were desk appraised 9 water point applications and one school latrine application have been received and appraised at desk. 46 community and 3 institutional WPS were appraised at field level 46 water point applications approved by WWT WASHCO could not be trained in CMP management due to shortage of capacity building budget. Tole Promotion has been started in 7 kebeles including the 2 new ones. 4 hand dug wells and one school latrine have been appraised at field level. One school latrine application received in 2006 EFY approved by WWT. Construction agreement for school latrine has been signed b/n a contractor & WASHCO. Ilfeta One WWO experts is assigned to each of the 8 CMP kebeles (including 3 new) to promote communities and assist in application preparation. Training of KWT to the 3 new CMP kebeles is planned to be made with the remaining CB money from the 2006EFY. No activity started for new 2007EFY projects. The construction of some water points rolled over form the 2006 EFY has been completed. Jeldu Implementation of 2006 EFY approved projects started. 5.2 TIGRAY Support from FTAT provided COWASH FTAT has received the 2007 EFY annual budget plan of Tigray region and the plan was revised according to the planning templates and planning principles of COWASH. Most of the comments were provided on the woredas plan a) on the operation costs that has to be covered from the regional government b) on the work plan which was not yet finalized c) on the revision of the plan that has to be made according to the COWASH planning Templates. COWASH FTAT was also involved in the organization of the annual Regional WASH steering Committee meeting through contacting the Regional Water Bureau Deputy Head and RSU Team Leader and the Embassy of Finland. Meeting was conducted on the November 24 th. 11

12 2007 EFY annual budget Plan Tigray RSU Team has been working on the finalization of the annual work plan of 2007 EFY after it had successfully carried out the annual review and planning workshop in October. The draft budget plan of 2007 EFY of COWASH project was finalized by RSU and sent for comment to COWASH FTAT for comments. Regional WASH Steering Committee meeting The region has organized the regional steering committee meeting on COWASH. The meeting was attended by Embassy of Finland, Water and Agricultural Growth Advisor, Bureau Head of Plan and Finance and Bureau of Deputy Bureau Head of Water. Focal persons from Bureau of Education, women, children and youth were present. Bureau of Health was not represented at all in this meeting. BoFP Focal Person, Federal CTA and CBS, RSU TL, Financial Specialist and CMP Specialist were also present in the meeting. Annual performance report of 2006EFY was presented to the meeting by RSU Team Leader and the general status of the region by Federal COWASH CTA. The report in general revealed that Tigray Region is in the third position in the performance of the project implementation after Amhara and Oromia regions. The fund allocated from GoF for 2006EFY has not been totally used by the region and its utilization of the investment fund was 52.3% from the annual plan. Important issues were raised on the report and ways how to improve progress were discussed EFY annual plan prepared by the region was also presented. The region requires EURO 706, from GoF and from GoE EURO 1,682, The total annual budget for the fiscal year indicated was EURO 2,388, which is equal to ETB 54,944,567. Regarding the annual targets of WASH facilities it was indicated that 166 water points for community, 34 water points for institutions, 20 institutional latrines and 107 water point rehabilitations will be built in 2007 EFY. The procurement of two vehicles was also indicated in the plan and important discussion and decisions were passed on the need of the vehicles. The duty free privileges of the project regarding the procurement was discussed and consensus was reached to approve the draft plan. Minutes of meeting of RWSC The minutes of the Regional Steering Committee meeting was prepared by the RSU Team Leader and it was sent to the Embassy of Finland and COWASH FTAT for comments Audit The internal and external auditors have started auditing of funds utilization from GoF. At the moment they are finalizing regional level audit and planned to go to woredas to start audits of 2006 EFY. Construction of WASH Facilities In the woredas it was reported that 8 hand-dug wells and 5 springs were completed for community and 1 hand-dug well for school. The funds for the facilities were rolled over from 2006 EFY. Regarding latrine the construction of latrine in 9 schools and 1 for health post were completed. The latrines built were started in 2006 EFY and rolled over to 2007 EFY Training WASHCOs CMP management training was conducted in Degua Tenbien woreda. Participants were 24 in total (12men and 12 women) at a cost of 16,000Birr. 12

13 5.3 SOUTHERN REGION (SNNPR) There were not many activities performed in the reporting month in the region due to delay in the approval of the 2007 EFY annual plan. Anyhow, some achievements in the reporting month are presented hereunder: Preparation for the RWSC meeting on Dec. 2, 2014 SNNPR RSU staff prepared PowerPoint presentations, for the RWSC meeting of 2 Dec. 2014, on the region s 2006 EFY Performance and 2007 EFY annual plan. Technical assistance on the preparation and shaping of the presentations was provided by COWASH M&E Specialist and Water and Agriculture Advisor of the Embassy of Finland. Mobilization of committed funds from Zones, Woredas and Zones The RSU staff have been busy in discussing and mobilizing committed funds from woredas and zones. As a result, the fund transferred to BoFED is better than the previous fiscal year. So far, a total of about Birr million has been transferred (61.32% of the expected) for 2007 EFY. About Birr million is expected from zones and woredas to meet the targets set in the draft 2007 EFY annual plan. Discussion is being made at the regional level on how the gap can be filled and the plan can be approved for implementation at all levels. Preparation of 2007 EFY Q1 Report Only few accomplishments in procurement and construction of water points (20 On Spot Springs) have been accomplished during the first quarter. The quarterly performance report of COWASH has been prepared in the reporting period and shared to COWASH FTAT. The report was then commented by COWASH FTAT and feedback given to RSU staff. Preparation of audit report The auditing of Gamogofa zone and its two project woredas (Chencha and A/Zuria) has been conducted by the Auditor General Office of SNNPR. The office is preparing to audit the Regional Water Bureau and audit report preparation has been started. This audit report is a prerequisite for releasing GoF funds for 2007 EFY. Construction Activities Four woredas (Chencha, Duna, Misha and A/Zuria) managed to complete the construction of 10 water points (all of them On Spot Springs). Out of these water points, 9 are for communities and 1 for a school. Project Woreda Chencha Type of WPs Constructed SPD SPD Ownership Community School Duna SPD Community Misha SPD Community A/Zuria SPD Community No. of WPs Constructed Male Total Number of Beneficiaries Female Total ,598 1,

14 Moreover, 1 school latrine benefiting 843 (412 female) students and teachers was completed in Chencha woreda. Human Capacity Building Three types of trainings were conducted in three woredas (Chencha, Duna, and Misha) with the capacity building fund rolled over from 2006 EFY. A total of 176 people participated in these trainings. Project Woreda Type of Training No. of People Trained Male Female Total Chencha Pump Attendants & Care takers Training Duna KWT CMP Management Training Misha Gender Awareness & Mainstreaming 60 Training A/Zuria KWT CMP Management Training Procurement Some construction and office items were procured in Chencha woreda. Majority of these items are spring construction hand tools (2 sets), small diameter molds (4), chain blocks (2) and stabilizer (1). 5.4 BENISHANGUL-GUMUZ REGION (BSGR) Technical Assistance support provided by the FTAT The FTAT prepared and sent invitation letter to the WMEB so that the WMEB invites regional, zone and woreda level participants to the CMP management training to be organized in Assosa Town from December 15-20, 2014e Achievements The 2007EFY BSGR COWASH plan is finalized and approved by the regional COWASH SC. This is also approved by the Embassy of Finland. The WMEB of BSGR assigned Ato Alem Tadele as the new coordinator of the regional COWASH. Regional Support Unit staffs were recruited. The name and position of the these staffs are: 1. Ato Melkamu Dibaba, Team Leader of the RSU 2. W/ro Genet Argata, Planning and M&E specialist 3. Ato Tilahun Abebe, Financial Management Specialist 4. Ato Melkamu Gemeda, Capacity Building Specialist. The WMEB sent the invitation letter to regional, zone and woreda level participants for the CMP training to be organized in Assosa Town from December 15-20,

15 5.5 AMHARA REGION The progress during the month of November 2014 is listed below: o The 2007 EFY annual planning and 2006 EFY review workshops were conducted at Dessie and Bahir Dar venues from Nov. 3 to 5, 2014, and 15 to 17, 2014 respectively. In the two venues total 359 (321 males and 38 females) participants attended from CMP zones and woredas. o The COWASH-Amhara RSU Team leader attended the training course on project management from Nov. 12 to 15 and the Capacity building specialist attended the training course on Institutional Development and organizational Strengthening from Nov. 24 to 27, The training was given by Kenyan organization and the costs were covered by COWASH component-1. The venue for both trainings was at Addis Ababa. o The Quarter 1 & 2 budget from GoF was received as per the fund request sent to the Embassy of Finland during the previous month. The received amount was Birr 30,223, (EUR 1,214,030.00) with the Exchange rate of Birr per EUR. o Field trip has been made by Zone advisors to support zones and woredas to follow up the progress at partners level in the CMP projects application collection, appraisal, and other related activities. o One RSU Zone Advisor participated in the Regional WASH Technical Committee (RWTC) meeting at WRDB being part of the RSU team leader delegation. o Preparations has been made for the visit of the Minister of Development Cooperation from Finland. One water point named Gult 5 Hand Dug Well, in Yeloma Kebele, Bahir Dar Zuria woreda was selected to be the site to be visited. The selected Kebele was visited by Federal COWASH staff for further preparations of the visit by making important discussions at community and woreda level. o The 2007 EFY detail physical and financial plan which was prepared with COWASH partners has been compiled and is on the finalization stage. o The 2007 EFY first quarter physical progress and financial report has been finalized and sent to COWASH-Amhara RWSC members. o Preparation of the activities to be performed at the water quality trainings to be given during the month of December. The training venues are at D/Markos and Kemmisse venues on the dates of Dec. 1 to 5, and 8 to 12, 2014 respectively. 6 COWASH COLLABORATION WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS The staff of the COWASH C-1 technical assistance team participated in the following WaSH sector meetings and events during the month of November, 2014 Amhara planning workshop was conducted in Dessie on November 3-5 for Eastern woredas and in Bahir Dar on November for Western woredas Meeting with IRC on WASH dynamics survey was conducted on November 5 Sanitation Marketing Multi-stakeholder Platform Meeting on November 6 Meeting with WaterAid on WaterAid 5 years strategy development JMP meeting with development partners on November 24 CR-WSP Strategic Framework meeting on November 12 and 13 Oromia Steering Committee meeting on COWASH on November 17 15

16 MoWIE 2006 EFY Annual performance and 2007 EFY annual plan review meeting in Adama on November 18 and 19 Meeting with Demewoz consultant on the contractual arrangements and payments Latrine technology training manual workshop on November 21 and 28 Tigray Steering Committee meeting on COWASH in Mekelle on November 24 Sanitation marketing business group meeting on November 25 Meeting in Bahir Dar with AGRO-BIG project regarding the program organization for the coming visit of the Finland Development Cooperation Minister on January 9 7 ACTIONS FROM THE WORK PLAN The delay of the CMP Implementation Manual (using public finance management system) presentation to MoWIE is now over 3 months due to the busy schedules of the MoWIE decision makers. This consequently delays the manual approval in MoFED and this delays the planned manual testing in 2007 EFY. This delay has a negative impact on the CMP scaling up to One WASH system (CMP financed though Consolidated WASH Account). The stamped and approved woreda and regional level detailed plans for 2007 EFY are still under preparation in November except BSG Regions who finalized the detailed plans in October. Although nearly all regional Steering Committee meetings (excluding SNNP) to approve the plans were completed in November, it still takes at least one month to get the plans appropriately signed stamped by BoFEDs as the start of the works in woredas requires stamped plans. This delay in approving the detailed plans will have a negative impact in the achievement of the fiscal years targets. 8 EFFECTS CAUSED BY DEVIATIONS TO THE WORK PLAN The delay of the construction activities in will cause non-efficient budget utilization in 2007 EFY and achievements of the COWASH targets will be in danger as the last year budget allocations of the regional contributions are made based on the previous year budget utilization. 9 SCHEDULED FEDERAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAM MAIN ACTIVITIES AND TARGETS FOR THE NEXT MONTH OF DECEMBER 2014 Complete the 2007 Q1 report Complete the Phase I Completion Report Conduct coordination meeting with the Embassy of Finland Participate Climate Resilient WSP Technical Committee meetings if organized Complete the COWASH Indicator Monitoring Plan (Tigray part) Present the new CMP Implementation Manual for MoWIE and get the Manual for MoFED approval SNNP Steering Committee meeting on COWASH on December 2 WASH and WRM meeting with Development Partners on December 5 Meeting with IRC during the week December 8-11 BSGR CMP management training in Assosa on December

17 CR-WSP training on December CWA contributors review of One WASH on December 9-19 Complete the COWASH and CMP exhibition materials for the visit of the Minister of Development Cooperation. This includes illustrated leaflets at Federal, Regional, Woreda, Kebele, Water point and Household levels. Prepare COWASH woreda water point maps 10 IMPORTANT POLITICAL/ECONOMIC TRENDS IN COUNTRY AND THEIR EFFECTS TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION Euro towards Birr is floating up and down and thus influencing the funds available in Ethiopia for project implementation. The below chart illustrates the change of ETB-EUR. On November 28, 2014 one Euro was ETB. The graph below illustrates how EURO has been going down during the last months from 27.3 to 25.1 Birr and it looks like it is still diving deeper and deeper. 11 ACTIONS NEEDED BY THE RAMBOLL HOME OFFICE OR MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAD a) Follow-up the Birr agreement with Ramboll Denmark b) Clarify JE s issues on per diem claim payments in Ethiopia c) Clarify the GoF Terms of Conditions implementation practice on per diem payments for TA staff d) IRC webpage hosting agreement Date and place: Addis Ababa on December 9, 2014 Report Prepared: Arto Suominen, CTA of COWASH 17

18 Distribution: Abrham Kebede, Amhara RSU Team Leader Solomon Gebresadik, Tigray RSU Team Leader Malkamu Dalju, Oromia RSU Team Leader Bekele Kassaye, SNNP RSU Team Leader Melkamu Dibaba, BSGR RSU Team Leader Beshah Mogesse, PhD Student Eyob Defere, Financial Consultant Tapio Niemi, FinnWASH-BG Team Leader Kai Vakkila, Ramboll Annika Malkki, Ramboll Elis Karsten, Ramboll Melaku Worku, Ramboll Yohannes Melaku, Ramboll Abebaw Getachew, Ramboll Kimmo Koivumaki, Ramboll John Butterworth, IRC Kari Leminen, Ramboll Alana Potter, IRC Mussie Hailegeorgis, Ramboll Benti Ejeta, Ramboll Oona Rautiainen, Niras Henna Tanskanen, Niras