Save the Children Norway in Ethiopia’s emergency Water & Sanitation project in Afar

Background
Afar region of Ethiopia has been hit by recurrent drought. The inhabitants are pastoralists and the climatic condition is harsh and any slip of the rainy season puts the livelihood of the people in jeopardy due to moisture stress resulting to death of livestock for lack of water. In 2006 the region was hit by drought where about 44% of the inhabitants were affected. The regional Food Security, Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Bureau (FS & DPPB) appealed to donors for assistance.  One of the immediate needs of the people was lack of drinking water for the affected people. Based on this appeal SCNE submitted a proposal to Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to avail potable water for the people and children in particular. Since SCNE is not operational in the area it was agreed to implement the water and sanitation program with SC-USA that has a presence in the area. Even though the region has been hit with recurrent drought water is the scarce commodity even at normal times due to the arid climatic condition of the area.  SCNE continued to support the program by raising fund from MFA up to end of 2008.   

Purpose/objective
Objectives of the evaluation were: to measure the impact (positive/negative or intended/unintended changes) generated at the wider community level attributed to the project intervention; to understand the impact of the project on the lives and livelihoods of the community based on community based defined indicators and to seek possible ways for further improvement. 

Methodology
The evaluators was more of participatory method where stakeholders took part through multiple of data collection methods that include: questionnaire, mapping, timelines, focus group discussion, proportional piling and physical observations. 

Key findings
The project has reached remote and needy areas; the travel time to fetch water has reduced from 4 hours a day to less than an hour; target households are getting access to adequate water 15lt/day as per the SHPEER standard; school enrolment has increased and prevalence of diarrhea diseases has significantly reduced.

Recommendations
Construction of WASH schemes should be integrated with intensive promotion works of sanitation and hygienic practices; Design and specification of works should include procedures like timing of water quality tests; WATSN committee members should be regularly contacted and be given refresher training, they should be also linked to the responsible government body. 

Comments from the organisation, if any
Although the project has been effective in producing results, it was terminated in 2009 due to lack of fund. The project was financed by Norwegian MFA