WaterAid's partners in Ethiopia

EOC/DICAC (Development and InterChurch Aid Commission)

A development commission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. This is one of the oldest churches in the world, with 40 million members and more than 25,000 churches in all parts of Ethiopia. Its greatest concentration is in the north and north-west of the country.

DIDAC was originally set up to implement relief, rehabilitation and development projects, but, although water supply was one of the components in its development plan, it did not have the capacity to undertake that kind of work.

WaterAid saw DICAC as a potential partner and gave support for the establishment of a Water Unit, assisting with the recruitment of the Head of the Water Unit in January 1992.

The Water Unit has since become one of the strongest professional units in DICAC and has been responsible for developing and implementing major WaterAid funded projects in the north and north-west of the country (North Gondar and Adwa).

The Oromia Water, Mineral and Energy Resources Development Bureau

The Arsi Zone Water Department (at first as the Infrastructure Department and subsequently the Natural Resources Development Department) took on the implementation of large gravity projects through a partnership agreement signed with its parent body the then Oromi Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection Bureau.

Following the 1995 elections and reorganisation of regional government, the responsibility for all water development work has transferred to the Oromia Water, Mineral and Energy Resources Development Bureau and they are WaterAid's current partners in the region.

NW-WSSA (North West-Water Supply and Sewage Authority)

A government department which was responsible for the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes in the North West region of Gojam and Gonder.

WaterAid did not sign a formal partnership agreement with WSSA but did fund the rehabilitation of 28 community schemes (mainly boreholes) and strengthened the office by providing workshop tools and vehicles.

Community organisations

Community Organisations have heard about WaterAid support and have started to approach the office with requests for funding water supply schemes in villages.

WaterAid signed partnership agreements with two community organisations, Mugo Development Association and Sama Senbet Monastery and Development Committee which were established to solve the problems of their locality.

Since they are formed by the community, they are accountable to the beneficiaries and their plan is approved by the general assemble.

IHAUP (Integrated Holistic Approach Urban Development Project)

WaterAid in the UK has acted as a link between other UK donors and their project, as well as supporting some of the urban water supply and sanitation work undertaken by them. When WaterAid started the water and sanitation part, it was the only NGO which deals with urban problems.

Water Action

A specialized local NGO established in May 1995. WaterAid played a major role in the establishment of Water Action. It provides both financial and technical supports required for its establishment and development.

WaterAid signed different agreements that enable Water Action to take the responsibilities of monitoring and fund management of gravity schemes in Oromia Region and to support community organisations to implement their own projects.

In the last two and a half years, Water Action has also been able to form partnership with five organisations and to win their financial support for some of its works. (ChristianAid (UK), Oxfam, CRDA, CERUDEP, Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation (Switzerland). Today, Water Action is one of the strongest competitive local NGOs in the country working in the WSSHP Sector.

CHER-ETHIOPIA

A local community based organisation working in the Southern Region of the Country. WaterAid is financing an integrated Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Education Project which CHER-Ethiopia is implementing in Sodo Woreda, Gurage Zone. The work of Cher Ethiopia is monitored and assisted by Water Action.

ORDA

A local NGO working Relief and Development activities in the Amhara Region. WaterAid is financing an integrated water supply, sanitation and hygiene education projects which ORDA implements in remote and marginalised area in Amhara Region.

PROGYNIST

A local NGO working in one of the slums in Addis. WaterAid finances the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education components in their project.

WCO

A woman and children focused local NGO working in another slum area in Addis. WaterAid's intervention deals with financing of the water, sanitation and hygiene education aspects.