This report covers the period 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012
Overview
Meeting the objectives of the 2012 – 2015 Long Term Planning Framework continues to be a commitment of both IFRC and ERCS. ERCS are implementing a number of long term programmes bilaterally with PNS and four sectoral programmes multilaterally funded by Swedish Red Cross in the areas of food security, organisation development, CBHFA and WATSAN. During the first 6 months, IFRC supported ERCS by providing technical support for the implementation of activities against their long-term programmes as per the 2012 plans developed. Modest progress has been made over the past 6 months against each plan.
Achievements have been made against the 2012 food security programme which is being implemented in the Dergajen, Dedba and Shibta tabias of Enderta woreda in Tigray region. 2012 targets have been fully met against the construction of 2 school latrines, 3 check dams and 3 shallow wells. Against the income generation component of the programme, 19 cross breed milk cows were distributed to beneficiaries and technical training on cattle fattening conducted with 200 project participants. Activities against environmental conservation included the establishment of nursery fruit seedlings in garden sites and the distribution of 7,800 avocado seedlings to beneficiaries.
The CBHFA programme which is being implemented in the 5 regions of East Gojam, East Showa, North Wollo, Siliti and Somali also made progress in the first 6 months of 2012. In quarter 2, ERCS branch offices conducted induction workshops for the selected zonal, district and kebele authorities. The induction workshops aimed to give the participants a full overview of the CBHFA programme, including its primary aims and objectives and what the 2012 interventions are designed to achieve. The induction workshops were considered successful in achieving stakeholder ownership and commitment. A ten day training of trainers (ToT) CBHFA workshop for the newly hired programme officers was also completed in Debre Zeit Town. Key personnel at headquarters and branch level have also been recruited including the HQ programme coordinator, 5 branch programme officers, accountants and 450 volunteers.
The first 6 months of the WATSAN programme was characterised by the completion of activities related to 2011 plans including cascading PHAST and CBHFA training to communities in West Wollega and sanplat production in West Shoa. Accelerating implementation against the 2012 plans is intended for the upcoming 6 months.
Progress against the OD programme has also been modest. A total of 23 computers and 23 printers were procured and delivered to ERCS branches in Q1 and Q2. The equipment is necessary to support membership management at branch level, in order to use computer database systems to effectively organize information related to membership and volunteer pools. Progress was also made with the construction of multi-purpose buildings, which are being built as part of ERCS’s drive to generate sustainable income streams and become a self reliant national society.
IFRC continued to provide support to ERCS in the form of institutional development which has included the finalisation of the change plan, which was completed in Q2 of 2012. ERCS’s change plan was developed with technical support from the Federation and will be implemented for the next two years (July 2012 to July 2014). The overall objective of the plan is for ERCS to become an ‘efficient, effective and responsive humanitarian organization with up-to-date and integrated systems and congruent leadership and skilled and motivated staff’. This is with the ultimate aim of making ERCS a leading humanitarian and developmental organization in the country, delivering quality services to people of Ethiopia.