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Benishangul-Gumuz Food Security Program Working Group

The Regional State of Benishangul-Gumuz is one of the most remote in Ethiopia, bordering on Sudan un 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 programme. 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 programme with a total estimated budget of some C$40 million over five years.

The Benishangul-Gumuz Working Group has formed with the purpose of seeking the implementation of all or part of the regional FS Programme. Through extensive planning and preparation, the group has been self-selected from among the broader CANGO membership. The group proposes an NGO consortium structure for the implementation of this FS Programme. It is prepared in cooperation with many stakeholders in the development of the BSG region, including the regional government, NGOs and donors. It presents an innovative management structure, comprised primarily of a consortium of Canadian NGOs, combining the experience and resources of relevant stakeholders in support of the existing BSG Food Security Program.

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.

The goal of the FS Programme is to reduce poverty and vulnerability in order to increase livelihood security in the region. Increasing regional capacity would lead to a local empowerment and an increased ability for locally driven, gender sensitive and environmentally sound sustainable development. After analysing the key problems of the region, agreement was reached on the following specific outcome level objectives.

• OUTCOME 1: Increased agricultural production and productivity;
• OUTCOME 2: Expanded off-farm household income generation opportunities;
• OUTCOME 3: Improved health and education services;
• OUTCOME 4: Improved capacity for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM);
• OUTCOME 5: Improved institutional capacity at all levels to coordinate and lead the development process.

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