Newsletter

   November 2011 (1st Ed.)

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Related links

† Poverty Action Network Ethiopia (PANE)
† Reuters AlertNet
† Peacebuild
† Africa Canada Forum at Canadian Council for International Co-operation
† Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC)

Benishangul-Gumuz Food Security Program Working Group

The Regional State of Benishangul-Gumuz (BSG) is one of the most remote in Ethiopia, bordering on Sudan in the west. It has long been neglected by domestic and foreign support. In 2003, the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional Government asked CIDA for technical assistance for the preparation of a comprehensive regional food security program. Oxfam Canada, in partnership with a local consulting firm, was selected to lead the process and provide technical assistance. The assignment was undertaken over 18 months, partly as a capacity building exercise, and the final report was delivered in February 2005. It called for a multi-component program with a total estimated budget of some CAD $40 million over five years (the food security strategy can be downloaded at the bottom of this page).

The outcome of this process was the development of the Benishangul-Gumuz Food Security and Economic Growth Project (BSG FSEG), a CANGO consortium initiative. Six CANGO members, led by Save the Children Canada in partnership with the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, submitted its application to CIDA for a project of 20 million dollars over five years with the purpose of seeking the implementation of part of the regional Food Security Program. The project presents an innovative management structure, comprised primarily of a consortium of Canadian NGOs, combining the experience and resources of relevant stakeholders in support.

The six members include:

• Save the Children Canada (Lead);
• Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief;
• CHF – Partners;
• Canadian Food for the Hungry International;
• Oxfam Canada;
• World Vision Ethiopia.

Ultimate Outcome: Improved food security and economic growth for women and men in Benishangul Gumuz

Intermediate Outcomes:

1. Improved and sustainable availability and utilization of food for women and men in 7 woredas
2. Increased and sustained income (especially for women) in 7 woredas

Immediate Outcomes:

1. Increased and diversified crop and livestock productivity for male and female producers
2. Improved natural resource management
3. Improved dietary diversity and quality for target households with a special focus on women and children
4. Improved institutional and community capacity to plan and manage gender sensitive and sustainable livelihoods programming
5. Improved participation by households particularly women members of households and communities to market-oriented activities and value-chains linked to markets for income growth
6. Increased capacity of female and male producers, communities, civil society, public and private sector to support and engage in gender-sensitive, agro-enterprise and market-based initiatives.

Map of Project Operational Areas

BSG FSEG Project Launch Event (February 10 2011)
The CANGO partners and INBAR representatives from both Ethiopia and Canada hosted a project launch event in the capital of BSG on February 10, 2011. The BSG Regional President, honorable Ato Ahmed Nassir attended and gave a speech at the event with government officials for several sector offices involved in the project. CIDA representatives from the Ethiopia mission were also in attendance (Stephen Sandiford and Sherry Hornung). The event was held at the BSG Regional Government Meeting Hall. Over one hundred people attended the event and were provided with information about the project as well as a hat, shirt, and pen with the project and partner logos. The event was a good opportunity for stakeholders to become familiarized with the project. This event marked the beginning of the five year project which has significant promise for improving both food security and economic development in the region. Photos of the launch event can be found under the photos page.

The next step for the project is to conduct a baseline survey in all project areas (see map). A consultant is being recruited (please see jobs page, close date is March 21, 2011).
Figure 1: BSG FSEG Partners at the Project Office in Assosa, Feb 2011

Related Studies
To prepare for the project design and development, two studies were conducted by the consortium:

• Study on Utilization of Lowland Bamboo in Benishangul Gumuz Region (prepared by INBAR)
• Market Assessment and Value Chain Analysis in Benishangul Gumuz (prepared by an external consultant).

Benishangul-Gumuz FS Strategy – 2005
[PDF file, Size: 356 KB]

BG Market Assessment Final Report - 2010
[PDF file, Size: 2,816 KB]

Study on Utilization of Bamboo in BG Region
[PDF file, Size: 854 KB]