Rural Development Studies

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The Problems of Rural Water Supply in Asosa Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State
(Addis Ababa University, 201-06) Musa, Abdulkerim; Aberra, Yohannes (PhD)
Water is one of the basic necess iti ~s for survi val and soc io-economic deve lopment, and access to safe water and adequate sa nitation is a uni versal lIeed ami basic human right. The lacks of access to improve drinking water still a serious problem in many As ia and African countries. However, it is lacking in most of rura l areas of Asosa woreda in general and the two study kebeles in paliicu lar. In addit ion to limited provi sion of this bas ic service in the study area, sign ifica nt numbers of watcr supply schemes that cont ribute for service coverage arc also poorly managed; provide service with problems and others llIal-fullctioning at any ti me. So, the study has tried to fi nd so lut ion for rural water su pp ly to continucd services for long. In order to obta in the required information, that the objective of the study, sampl ing techniques were employed. In ca rrying out the study, the researcher se lected 70 HH beneficiaries. Data obtai ned frolll HH survey were mainly analyzed quant ita ti ve ly wh ile in format ion from FGDs, KII, and observation were analyzed qua litat ive ly to supplement data from HH survey. As far as the fi ndings, the survey resuits fo und that the lack of proper managi ng or functionality of the scheme.s or lack of protected springs have been major prob lems and for seeable bottlenecks in the study area and the majority of communities in the study area whi ch 86'10 depend all ull safe water sources and covering these large segments of the commun ity in the short period of time and in foreseeable future could be a challenge. So, the cOlllmu nity should be given awareness rind gel supported on safe use of unprotected water sourccs such as boi ling, before use and through provision of chemi cal disinfecta nts so that they arc rescued from water-born and water-re lated hea lth problems. Besides, cleaning and clearing of unprotected water sources to minimize the infestat ion of microbes and other mi cro-orga ni sms are also importa nt. In addition, most of the schemes are also found poorly managed poor qua li ty and provide services with problems. The survey resul ts revea led that schemes are managed by communit ies through water cOlllmittees wl:o are respoll sib le is given or Ill:lnagcd by.
The Occurrence and Determinants of Motor Vehicle Injuries in Addis Ababa
(1989-05) Dessie, Tadele; Larson, Charles
This is a study of hospital treated motor vehicle injuries occurring in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Injuries are desc ribed in terms of their circumstance, type, and consequence . Drivers caus ing injury and their vehicles were compared with randomly selected control drivers in order to identify important driver and vehicle determinants of injury. The investigation was carried out between August 21, 1988 and November 12, 1988. During the twelve week period of study, 1050 hospital treated injuries were identified, for an overall incidence density of 279.4 per 100,000 person years. The mortality rate was 17.6 per 100,000 populati on per year and these fatalities accounted for an estimated 11,154 years of potential life l ost before age 65. The annua l vehi c le inflicted injury i ncidence density rate was 94 .6 in j u r i es pe r 1,000 cars registered. The majori t y ( 90 . 6%) of the injured we re pedestrians and 48.9% were between 11 and 30 years of age. The commonest body parts affected was multiple parts (43.6%), the extremities (26.5%) and the head (22.0%). The most frequent type of injur ies were l acerations (42.1.%) and fractures (14.9%). Driver characteristics plac ing an individual at increased risk of inflicting injury were mal e gender, under age 25 with less than 5 years driving e xperiences , a nd being pri vately employed with a taxi o r sma ll bu s d ri vers licence. Elevated risks were also f ound fo r the following motor vehicle characteristics; buses, taxis, privat e ownership
HIV Seropositivity and Related Factors Among Prisoners in Dire Dawa
(Addis Ababa University, 1989-06) Kebede, Yohannes; Pickering, Joyce (PhD)
HIV antibody was detected in 27 of 450 prisoners (6.0%), in a crosssectional study carried out in the major prison of Dire DaHa district, in eastern Ethiopia. Syphilis was found to be very common in the prisoners. Overall, 31.6% of the prisoners had a positive VDRL. The rate in prisoners who were HIV positive HaS 63% or 17 out of 27. A concurrent diagnosis of syphilis was strongly associated with HIV seroposi ti vi ty. (Odd's ratio = 4.09 ). Recent admission to prison within the past three months was strongly associated with HIV positivity (Odd's ratio = 3.72); 21 of the 27 HIV positive prisoners had been in prison for less than three months. Factors found important in other studies on prisoners and AIDS, such as homosexuality and intravenous drug use were not found to be features of prisoners in Dire Dawa. Surprisingly, significant associations could not be proved between number of prostitute contacts or number of sexual contacts per month before prison and HIV positivity. Duration of residence in Dire Dawa tOlm, travel outside of Dire Dawa and number of l ong term sex partners before prison, were not found to be associated with HIV seropositivity . Likewise, no statistically significant correlation was found between HIV seropositivity and history of injections, dental extractions or immunizations in the past. Only 8 of the 450 prisoners (1. 6%) were uncircumcised. Al though one of the eight was HIV positive, no relationship was found between the circumcision state and HIV infection. That all 27 HIV positive prisoners had been in prison shorter than 12 months with 21 of them (77.8%) imprisoned for less than three months, suggests that the epidemic in Dire Dawa may be of recent origin. The high prevalence seen in prisoners in Dire Dawa likely reflects infection in the surrounding community, and are a cause for serious concern.
Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Irrigation-The Case of Ziway State Farm
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Cherinet, Mekonnen; Gamachu, Daniel
The Effects of Selected Proximate Determinants and SocioEconomic Factors on Fertility Rates of Rural Women in North Shewa: The Case of Two Districts
(Addis Ababa University, 1994-06) Negewo, Tilaye; Kidanu, AkIilu (PhD)
Population growth is a prominent issue in rural Ethiopia where about 85 percent of the population resides. Therefore, simply put, the determinants of the effects of the various factors on fertility rates in rural Ethiopia is a relevant policy oriented research. This paper looked at s~d proximate determinants and socioeconomic factors and their effects on fertility in a rural setting. The study collected information on 2063 women in Mafud and Kewet districts, and used various techniques including oneway analysis, multiple classification analysis and the Bongaarts model to look at the relative effects of the selected variables. The findings include that land-holding, literacy program, livestock value, marital disruptions, infant- child mortality and spontaneous miscarriages had positive effect on fertility. On the other hand, formal education, contraceptive use, breast-feeding and age at first marriage showed negative effects on fertility in the studied rural areas of Ethiopia. The results also indicated that among the rural areas studied, fertility levels varied by the rate of infant-child mortality, the levels of infecundity and contraceptive prevalence. In conclusion this study identified areas of policy concentration in relation to reducing fertility levels as well as areas of future research to better understand the dynamics of fertility behavior in rural Ethiopia.
The Impact of Development Projects on Some Socio- Demographic Variables: A Comparative Study of Atat Hospital's Women's Groups in Rural Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Badnessa, Fekadu; Gebresellassie, Seyoum (Professor)
A growing consensus on the demographic impact of development projects began to emerge in the international community that economic growth alone was not enough and that the demographic and social objectives of development should be addressed. The fertility impact of development projects, which has acquired increased importance since the last two and a half decades, has now gained the attention of policy makers and program initiators particularly in developing cDuntries. This thesis is an empirical study on some socio-demographic impact of development project, namely Ala! Hospital's Women's Groups in two comparative communities (community receiving project and the one not receiving it) in rural Ethiopia. Twenty one women's groups in beneficiary community and four Peasant Associations in non-beneficiary community in Cheha wereda of Gurage zone constitute the study material with representative ever-married sample women of 348 and 400 respectively. Various socia-economic and demographic situation of the project and non-project communities are elaborated based on empirical data. Religion, education, self perceived economic well-being, child loss experience. a woman's decision -making autonomy, age, age at first marriage, current and life-time fertility, marital status and marriage type, maternal and child health care, water, sanitation and hygiene are included. Besides, the duration of staying of partiCipation in women's groups, knowledge and use of natural and modern family planning are treated in detail. The objectives of the study include to examine, analyze and compare: the knowledge and practice of family planning; the fertility of ever-married women; the variation, if any, in environmental sanitation, maternal and child health care in the project and non-project communities using some of the health indicator variables. It was also meant to determine the relative importance of each of the explanatory variables on life time fertility. Finally, on the basis of the findings to identify issues relevant for program intervention, policy formulation and further research. Towards these end bi-variate, Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression techniques were employed. The results of bi-variate analysis show that in spite of the socio-cultural and demographic Similarities, the beneficiary ever-married women have much higher levels of maternal and child health care, access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene. They also have more knowledge of family planning, lower estimated total fertility rate (TFR), and attitude towards small family size; higher unmet need for contraception, higher decision-making autonomy and perceived economic well-being. The results of OLS regression analysis revealed that age, age at first marriage, two and at least three children loss through death, above grade seven education, perceived economic well-being, current use of modem contraception, decision-making autonomy, and five years and above participation in women's groups were found to have significant relationship with fertility in the project group. About 41 % of the variation in fertility (CEB) was significantly explained by the above-stated variables. For the non-project ever-married women, age, age at first marriage, two and at least three children loss through death, grade seven and above education and current use of modern contraception were Significantly related to fertility. About 62% of the variation in fertility was significantly explained by these stated predictors. Based on major findings of the study, the thesis indicates major areas for further research, policy and program intervention. These include more combined quantitative and qualitative research on the effects of development projects in other parts of Ethiopia including the Atat Hospital's Programs; and more comprehensive and effective family planning, reproductive and child health program. These can lead to the reduction in fertility, maternal and child mortality, upgrading the status of women through decision making autonomy which in tum contribute to attaining the fertility and mortality objectives of the National Population and Women Policy of Ethiopia.
Micro Finance and Its Contribution to Enterprise Income in Urban Ethiopia: The Case of Debre Birhan and Asela Towns
(Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Temesgen, Berhanu; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
The study was conducted in two market [Owns, namely, Debre Birhan and Assela with the aim of identify ing the impact of microcredit on micro enterprise income. According to the findings of the study, borrowers in Debre Birhan were able to increase monthly enterprise income from 181.14 Birr per month before the loan to 252. 77 Birr per month after the loan. Non- borrowers reported current monthly enterprise income of Birr 154. 77. Borrowers in Assela indicated an increase in enterprise income from Birr 139.32 p er month before the loan to Birr230 per month after the loan. The current enterprise income of the non- borrowers was Birr 282.94 per month. The regression result showed that income is affected by several factors . Among the many factors, credit was significantly correlated to average microenterprise income in Debre Birhan. Credit was not significantly correlated with income in the case of Assela. Enterprise income was also affected by start-up capital, non-paid family workers, paid employees and productive assets in Debre Birhan. The other variable which correlated to income was the type of economic activity. Those who were engaged in service enterprises earned more income than manufacturing in both towns. As indicated credit was not Significantly correlated with income in the case of Assela. The possible reasons for this result were: - a) Improper selection of borrowers; b) lvfisleading information during the initiation of the project; c) Low business activity as compared to Debre Birhan and d) Low level of credit provided to operators in Assela.
Clients of Girl Child Prostitutes: Realities from Some Selected Areas of Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Zelalem, Yohannes; Admassie, Yeraswork (PhD)
Knowledge of the clients of prostitutes has long-been recognized as an important means to combat against prostitution in many countries. In Ethiopia, to date, very little is known about the types of clients and their motives to go to prostitutes, in general and child prostitutes, in particular. The present study was conceived to partially jit/jill this knowledge gap through an exploration of the nature of clients of child prostitutes. Three groups of informants have been used to collect data for the study: girl-informants, procurer-informants, and clientinformants. In addition, non-participatory observation has been made. This paper summarized some of the empirical findings of the survey. Throughout, emphasis has been directed towards providing insights into the nature and motives of clients of child prostitutes. The analysis of the profile of clients showed that most clients are young and middle-aged men, from all social and economic groups. Great variation is seen in terms of the motives why clients go to child prostitutes. Clients are pushed and pulled by a lot of factors to go to child prostitutes. Based up on their reasons for going to child prostitutes seven typologies of clients have been identified: virginity predators, exploitative perpetrators, opportunistic perpetrators, illusory egoist perpetrators. infirm perpetrators, sexual-aim rapists, and protective perpetrators. The sex related practices of clients implied a trend of change from penetrative sexual intercourse to non-penetrative sexual outer course. The lenient enforcement of the law encourages clients to go to child prostitutes. These findings support the view that the preference for younger girls to commercial sexual services spread child prostitution.
The Situation of Street Children and the Role of Ngos in Meeting Their Needs: The Case of Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Ayalew, Dessale; van, Theo (PhD)
In Ethiopia, there are many poor, displaced, unaccompanied, disabled, abused and neglected, orphaned, and street children. The major cities and towns are particularly facing frightening problems as urbanization continues unabated resulting in a rapidly rising population. Such a phenomenon leads to shortage of amenities and puts the existing urban residents deprived. A realistic symptom of such deprivation is the alarming number of street children. The majority of these children work on the streets with some even totally living on the streets without any adult care and supervision. The study revealed that street children are compelled to work on the streets in their struggle for survival. By doing menial jobs they both support themselves and their incomes with the small incomes they earn. Out of the total interviewees 52 percent are children on the streets who work during the day time and return home during the night. Children of the street who work and sleep on the street are about 32 percent while the high risk children are 15 percent The major causes of streetism, according to the study, are poverty, family disintegration and instability, loss of parents, migration and maltreatment by parents. The study also confirmed that the magnitude of the problem of street children is increasing because a number of families could not fulfill the needs of their children. Although various services are provided by the NGOs to allBviate the problem, its magnitude is still increasing. Because the magnitude of the problem and the services which are being rendered by the NGOs could not match.
The Role of Education in Promoting Balanced Development in Ethiopia: With Particular Emphasis on the Case of Oromia Region
(Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Assefa, Gebre; Shibre, Zewdie (PhD)
Human capital formation particularly in the field of Education has long been considered as an important factor in development be it social or economic . But when we talk of development the balance between regions, balance in the service of education itself, balance between urban and rural areas and between the genders should be taken into consideration. In this work the role of education in the balanced development of Ethiopia is dealt with . Oromia region is also taken as a case study among regions . Thus, primarily, whether education has contributed to development in the country is dealt with and adjoined to it whether the achieved development is balanced or not is the focus of this work . Accordingly, both primary and secondary data are collected and dealt with in view of education and development in Ethiopia. The result of the analyses shows that although the existing education was better than no education, as there was no practicable education sector strategy for the development of the country, the goal that could have been reached is far from being achieved. Moreover the result of the study shows that as there was a disparity in the educational supply, this is consequently reflected in the meager achievement it has got on development. Consequently, dispari ty between genders, urban/rural areas and regions is witnessed . Thus, the study finally is completed with necessary recommendations.
An Assessment of the Current Decentralized Regional and Local Development Expreience in Oromia Region (1992-1996/97): Challenges and Prospects
(Addis Ababa University, 1999-01) Abagojam, Mohammed; Ayenew, Meheret (PhD)
The Resources Contribution of Local and External Ngos in Primary Education Development Projects In Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Regional Government (Snnpr)
(Addis Ababa University, 1999-06) Haile, Tarekegn; Teferra, Syoum (PhD)
The maill objective of this study was to illvestigate the role of local and exterJIal 11011 goverllmental orgallizatiolls (LNGOs alld ENGOs) alld its resources cOlltributioll to the primary educatioll developmellt projects (PEDPs) ill SoutherJI Natiolls, Nationalities alld Peoples' Regiollal GoverJImellt. To cOllduct this study, a descriptive survey was employed. For this purpose samples are takell from 3 ZOlles, 7 woredas, amI 41 schools. The research study illvolved two categories of sample populatioll: NGOs amI GOs. Questiollllaire survey, illterview, documellts, alld persollal observatioll were the maill illstrumellts used to collect the data. Data allalysis was made by using statistical tools such as percelltage, chi-square alld rallk order correlatioll coefficiellt to idelltifY whether there are differellces alld agreemellts ill the judgemellt of the respolldellts regardillg the various variables 011 the role of NGOs ill PEDPs. The results obtailled suggested that both the LNGOs amI ENGOs are illvolved ill providillg assistallce programmes for differellt developmelltal projects implemellted in the regioll. Nevertheless, it was foulld that there is high COllcelltratioll of NGOs alld their projects 011 the previous drought prolle areas without allalyzillg the currellt problems of the regioll. The filldillgs illdicated that the majority of the NGOs gave more emphasis to the projects Oil capital illvestmellt havillg ollly limited amoullt of their projects spellt Oil recurrellt expellditures. Based 011 the lIeed assessmellt of the commullities, assistallce was challlleled through the local goverllmellt, the NGOs, alld through halldillg over operational projects to the respective belleficiaries. However, it !Vas foulld that NGOs could never ellcouraged the local commlmity to choose the type of assistallce/service they lIeed ill terms of their priorities ill their respective areas. The study further revealed that though efforts have beell made ill settillg up coordillatillg committees for orgallizillg the various activities of NGOs ill PEDPs, they were ell/allgled with mallY difficUlties alld did 1I0t make all effort to bring abollt close work relatiollships amollg key power actors. It was also foulld that there is I/O formal relatiollships amollg the NGOs alld lIever share illformatioll regardillg their illtervelltioll activities. The results obtailled gellerally illdicated that all the problems cited by the filldillgs are closely related to lack of COOrtlillatioll which the local goverumellt has 1I0t illcorporated NGOs illto its policies amI structures; alld NGOs 011 their part are 1I0t orgallized to help the local goverllmellt to ftlrther collaboratioll. 011 the other halld, evell though attempts have beell observed to mOllitor alld evaluate educatiollal projects, they were cOllcell/rated more 011 mOllitorillg physical dimellsioll or evaluatioll of illfrastructllre projects alld igllore the sustaillability, social dimellsioll, alld impact of expellditures. III additioll, it was observed from the study that there are sigllificallt differellces amollg the NGOs' project pelformallce ill differellt target areas of the regioll. Filially, based 011 the filldillgs alld cOllclusiolls, recommelldatiolls were made to address the problem ullder study.
Indigenous Institutions and Local Development Initiatives: Case Studies From Selected Gurage Areas of Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 1999-06) Assefa, Getinet; Aredo, Dejene (PhD)
This paper attempts to investigate the raison d' etre and development implications of indigenous institutions. The meaning of institution and indigenous institutions is provided in the context of the available literature and the study area of the paper. The explanatory power of institutional theories has been assessed and attempt is made to give a theoretical explanation as the background to the existence of institutions that are based on the customs and traditions of local people. A model of institutional design is also developed in the context of the situation in the study area to show the place and relative contribution of indigenous institutions in promoting development at the local level. Based on a systematic examination and analysis of the various functions of fourteen different indigenous institutions identified in the study area, the paper shows that these institutions occupy a very important place in the development actors network as well as the state and private-sector actors. Not only are indigenous institutions important in performing their own distinct functions in their specific localities, but also they play a significant role in promoting development by acting as collaborators to and intervention points for other government and non-government organizations.
Value of Children, Perceived Cost and Fertility Behavior in Mulo-Sululta District of Oromia
(Addis Ababa University, 1999-06) Jotie, Fekadu; Gebreselassie, Seyoum (Professor)
The study explores the relationship between the value of children and fertility behavior in Mulo-Sululta, a district bounding Addis Ababa in the north. Using survey questionnaire, a primary data were collected from 982 currently married couples having at least one living child in April 1998. This survey was complemented by focus group discussions with knowledgeable local people of different socioeconomic background in both rural and urban areas. To explore the relation between fertility desires and socioeconomic and demographic factors at individual level, univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques were used. For this, mean, cross-tabulations, ANOV A and MeA were employed.The bivariate analytical results show that age, number of living children, household income and educational level has negatively correlated to number of additional children desired. Males more than females and rural respondents more than urban were found desiring for more mean number of additional children. In addition to these, actual and expected labor assistance as well as old age security motives were found to be important motivating factors for having more children. The multivariate analysis also show the same result except those younger couples below the age of 25 were found desiring fewer number of additional children than those aged 25-34. Finally, the study concludes by suggesting some policy relevant intervention areas in relation to value of children and fertility relationship. The need for in-depth study in the same area was also recommended.
Natural Resource Degradation and the Predicament of Rural Women: The Case of Bugna Wereda, North Wollo
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-05) Bekele, Hirut; Admassie, Yeraswork (PhD)
This paper has al/ell/pted to exall/ine the ongoing natural resource degradation and its ill/plications on wOlI/en in the rural Gelesot (lowland) and Telfetit (highland) Kebeles in Bugna Wereda, North Wallo. Bugna Wereda is characterised by natural resource degradation and recurrent drought. The aill/ 01 the study was to find out the different ill/plications that natural resource degradation has on wall/en and their roles. By analysing the intra -household gender based natural resource utilisation, wall/en's ill/portant link lVith their natural environll/ent was reviewed. This has helped to analyse natural resource degradation and its negative ill/plications on wall/en and their roles. tvforeover, the difJerent responses and coping II/ echanisll/s that households ell/ploy during natural resource degradation were reviewed in relation to their ill/plications to lall/ily welfare, contributions to natural resource II/anagell/ent andlurther pressure on the existing natural resources. The finding has disclosed that wOlI/en have a day to day interaction with their natural environll/ent since they play all ill/portant role ill house/wid lood production, processillg and lood distribution. Moreover, it revealed that the degradation olnatural resources in the study area has resulted in reduced supply olnatural resources and has caused wider and cOlI/plex ill/plication on WOII/en, theirlall/ilies and their environll/ent.
The Impact of Agricultural Bio-Chemical Technologies on Rural Household Food Security: The Case Study of Two Weredas in Oromia Region
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-05) Ejara, Hailu
The Ethiopian agricultural sector, as well documented in many literatures, is characterized by poor technology adoption and as a result low productivity per unit area. The food supply alld demand gap is so high with its resultant outcome of high prevalence of temporary and chronic food insecurity. The dependence on rainfall, severe environmental degradation and high man land ratio are some of the major problems of the sector with their consequent results of persistent crop failures, drought and famine. To curb the problem of food shortages and food insecurity, the country has adopted various strategies in which use of agricultural bio-chemical technologies (Jertilizer, ---- improved seeds alld chemicals), in one way or anoth2r, has been the centerpiece of these _ strategies. The contributioll of these agricultural bio-chelilical inputs, undoubtedly, is positive for food self-sufficiency rather than for food security. This is also true for areas where there is abundant and reliable rainfall. /n lowland areas where moisture is critical for crop production, their impact on increased grain production could be marginal. Thus the hypothesis of this research is that the use agricultural biochemical illputs alone callnot be a means to achieve reasonable level of household food security due to variations in resource endowments at household level, ecological variations, incom?gap and unique characteristics of the households themselves. To prove this hypothesis an intensive review of literatures and data was made. Primary data were also collected from two weredas (HelOsa and Dodota-Sire) of Arsi zone Oronlia Region consisting of ten peasalll associations (kebeles) and 142 households. The hypothesis of this research is proved 10 be true, that fertilizer, improved seeds and chemicals by themselves have insignificalll contriburion and they only explained 21.1 per cent of the variations in household food security (the food self-sufficiency scenario) or thirty three per cent ill the case of food availability scenario. Only fertilizer has a ---significant impac/ on food security among the three. The variations in food security level is more explained by a combined effect of many socioeconomic variables. Taking into consideratioll eleven variables they explained 81 per cent of the variations in the level qf household food security. Thus, the policy implication is that household food security is lIlultidimensional, complex and driven by factors ranging from economic, social, political and socio-cultural as well as environmental. To alleviate this problem a single productioll oriented strategies, mainly focussed on use of modem agricultural inputs, which may not be affordable and suitable for resource poor and various agro-ecologies cannot be an appropriate measure. The strategy should, rather, aims at the inherent condition of the s:ocioeconomic and socio-cultural as well as environmental settings of that particular locality
A Study of Intercensal Changes in Urban Housing Availability and Quality in Ethiopia: the Case of old and New Regional Capitals
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-05) Shawul, Meskerem; Mulugeta, Solomon (PhD)
This study is based on the UN arg7lment that every hody has the right to adequate she/ter and that society for its welfare depends on the fulfillm ent of the basic needs: food, health, and shelter. As one mpect, the housing availahility and qllality in regional capitals of Ethiopia over the 198-/-1994 period are explored here. Ethiopia witnessed a government change in 1991 together with an ideological and economic reform. the urban restructuring that follO\ved this changes maintained 3 of the 12 previ01ls regional administrative capitals while the rest 9 were given zonal center s/a/lls. The redefinition also included 5 newly upgraded centers which all gained regional capi/al statlls. After a detailed examination of the 17 individllal regional capitals the study established that there are considerable variations in the peljormallce and in the pace of h01lsing availability and quality hetween and within eqllal status centers. The major determinants were the favorahle physical location, the easy access of b1lilding material and the h01lseholds' capacities. The selection of the centers as administrative capitals indllced overall improvements, which also infl1lenced the pace. Yet it seems municipalities and local governments did not recognize nor had not the capacity to 1Ise this opport1lnity. The flltllre s/ill hold<; possibilities f or longterm sustainable strategies across development centers to 1IItimately redress ineq1lalities in the access to basic good<; and services and to improve the living conditions of the urhanites.
The Impact of Decentralization on Efficiency and Meritocracy of the Civil Service in Ethiopia: The Case of Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regions
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-06) Digie, Tesfaye; Teka, Tegegne (PhD)
The concept oj Civil Service has various dimensions. One oj its dimensions relates it to the system oj personnel administrations that are applied to the government employees. Th e second Jocuses on the government Junctions by the people who occupy job positions that are neither political, juridical nor militwy. The third is related to employees oj government ministries and agencies. Civil Service also takes different Jorms and structures in different systems oj governance. In a decentralized system, it is related to a larger extent, to the responsibilities oj the decentralized units. There are numerous benefits oj the Civil Service in decentralization. It is reported that in decentraliza tion , Civil Service is capable oj providing efficient and relevant public services to the local conditions. III Ethiopia, even though th ere were some attempts oj decentralization through regionalization oj the country, where some regions were considered as autonomous, it was only afier 1991 that decentralization was taken as a major political measure. In 1991, when the EPRDF took over political power, one oj the first political measures taken was the regionalization oj the country along ethnic lines. The ethnic based regions established thus have been enjoying autonomous status with respect to government activities that fall under their authority. The Civil Service, hence, is one oj the responsibilities oj the regions. The usual tradition, where the central ministries and agencies control and supervise the regional Civil Service activities has been no longer the practice.This system has its own impact upon the efficiency and meritocracy of the Civil Service of the regions. Accordingly, it is found that the efficiency of the regional Civil Service is undermined after the ethnic based decentralization has been undertaken in the countly . This is due to the fact that the organization structure of some bureaus and offices does not help to achieving efficiency. There are bureaus and offices in the regions that are established with little tasks to peltorm and there are also other bureaus and ofJices of which the tasks are similar with others but unnecessarily established as separate entities. Moreover, some bureaus and offices are operating in costly and delayed implementation of Civil Service administration. In addition, the merit aspect of the regional Civil Service is at risk because of the ethnic based decentralization. This is due to the prevalence of ethnic and language issues and the interference of political considerations in the operations of the Civil Service at the Regional levels.
The Impact of Development-Induced Urban Resettlement Schemes on Relocated Households: The Case of Sheraton Addis Hotel Project,. Addis Ababa
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-06) Baye, Nebiyu; Pankhurst, Alula (PhD)
The central part of Addis Ababa in characterized by the predominance of unplanned neighborhoods and slums. These inner city areas are predominantly occupied by low income households since most of the economic and public activities are located in the inner city that provides a multitude of formal and informal income earning opportunities. Since May 1991 the country has been introduced to a free market economic system and this new policy environment resulted in the private real estate developers becoming involved in urban development activities. At present more than 400 project proposals have been submitted to the Local Government requiring inner city land to redevelop for other purposes in accordance with the 1984 Master Plan. As a result, a sUbstantial number of inner city residents have been displaced and more are expected to be displaced in the near future. Therefore this thesis examines the consequences of such urban development on the livelihood of the inner city slum dwellers taking a case study of the Sheraton Addis Hotel Project. The sample size consisted of 86 relocated households (12%) drawn from a total population of 718. The sample households were selected randomly and proportionally from the housing units stratified into different housing types. The findings of the study indicated that the resettlement scheme has resulted in providing decent housing units among which 99% of the households were highly satisfied. It was also identified that there was a significant improvement in toilet, and kitchen facilities. However, the public facilities and the infrastructure provided in the new site lagged far behind. The study demonstrated that the resettlement scheme has resulted in a dramatic increase in the unemployment rate from 1.2 percent in the previous settlement to 11 .1 percent in the new site. Among the factors that brought about this change lack of potential clients and markets was the major one. In addition to this the study revealed that the partial resettlement scheme led to problems in social integration manifested in the breakup of former neighborhood ties. The locational preference of the relocatees was raised and it was identified that their preference depends upon the type of employment and location of working place. Hence among those who were involved in temporary and casual work 73 percent preferred to live in the inner city. Among those who were permanent full-time workers only 50 percent would prefer to go back to the inner city. The disadvantages of moving from the inner city were the increase in transport costs, disruption of former neighborhood ties and the reduction of monthly income of some household heads. The study also demonstrated that the majority of the households have remained in the resettlement area by overcoming the problems resulting from the resettlement scheme.
The Relevance of Community-Based Development to Poverty Reduction in Ethiopia (A Case Study on the Experience of Esrdf in the Amhara Region)
(Addis Ababa University, 2000-06) Wubie, Nega; Abebe, Teketel (PhD)
By any standard Ethiopia is the least developed country in the world. The feature of poverty in Ethiopia is complex and multidimensional. Almost half of its people are living under the absolute poverty line. In addition to income poverty, majority of the people have been suffering from lack of basic social and economic services such as education, health, safe drinking water, and housing. The prevalence of these aspects of chronic poverty has been attributed both to manmade and natural factors; intermittent draught, protracted war and policy distortion of the previous regime are often cited as the major ones. The centralized and top-down development planning system that prevailed for years so has been condemned for its inability to reduce poverty and bring development in the country. This led Ethiopia to enact a new long-term development and poverty alleviation strategy. This strategy emphasizes the adoption of a bottom-up and participatory development approach with the primary focus of poverty reduction and sustained economic growth to be achieved through a combination and mutually reinforcing programs at various fronts. The strategy is believed to generate significant payoffs by removing central bottlenecks, fostering community participation and ownership, and improving the efficiency of development program implementations. This is the essence and objective of community-based development (CBD). Currently, (CBD) strategies are being widely applied by governmental and non-governmental organizations. These agenCies translate CBD strategies into action programs through the implementation of development projects Despite vCllying arguments Oil the application of CBD, the approach is universally recognized as the best means to fight poverty in its full dimensions and to ensure sustainable development. For this reason the Government has established an independent CBD facilitating agency called the "Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation and Development Fund-ESRDF" to operate throughout the Country. ESRDF has come through a pilot test, which was reported to be effective in promoting CBD. Moreover, reports show that this agency is bringing significant changes upon the lives of poor rural communities by financing various demand driven development projects. Such success reports can draw the attention of researchers or commentators to prove whether CBD approach is worthwhile to the development needs and realities of Ethiopia. Accordingly, this research was intended to test the validity of this widely propagated approach by taking the experience of ESRDF in the Amhara Region. For this purpose, primmy and secondary data have been collected through fieldwork from various sources. Results of obtained information have been analyzed in line with basic theoretical and conceptual arguments of the subject. The points of references employed for the assessment of the relevance of CBD approach mainly include the proper application of popular participation and empowerment, and other embodiments of these core concepts

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