This report analyses the findings of an extensive research project conducted by Oxfam in Ethiopia. In the context of Ethiopia's rising external debt, and the new decentralised system of regional governance, members of four communities, both rural and urban, were interviewed about their problems in gaining access to basic health care, reproductive-health services, and primary education; front-line service providers were also interviewed. Representatives of central and regional government and international donors were consulted, and policy documents reviewed. The report ends with recommendations addressed to the government of Ethiopia, NGOs, and major donors and creditors, arguing human-development targets by 2015.


AUTHOR BIOG

Fra von Massow is a Social Development Consultant and an Associate of the Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London. She has worked in the government and voluntary sectors in Malawi, Ethiopia, and Zaire. During the 1990s, she was a Gender Trainer and Consultant with the DPU. She now lives in India, where she works on integrating social and gender-related concerns into monitoring and evaluation processes in the NGO sector.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements
Glossary
Executive summary

1. Introduction
2. Poverty in Ethiopia
3. Health status of the poorest communities
4. Health-sector policy and planning
5. Water and sanitation
6. Food security
7. Education status of the poorest communities
8. Education-sector policy and planning
9. Conclusions
10. Recommendations

Notes
References and further reading

Appendix 1: Micro-research methodology
Appendix 2: Tabulated findings
Appendix 3: Case study 1. Cherkos, Kebele, Addis Ababa
Appendix 4: Case study 2. Yegurassa and Andaje, Delanta, North Wollo
Appendix 5: Case study 3. Ali Roba, Metta, Easten Hararge
Appendix 6: Case study 4. Belhare, Jijiga, Somali region