The workplans will create a platform for the implementation of integrated child-focused development interventions in Ethiopia’s regional states and city administrations.
By Metasebia Solomon (UNICEF Ethiopia)
ADDIS ABABA–UNICEF signed annual workplans with the Government of Ethiopia for the Ethiopian Fiscal Year 2011. The workplans were signed by Mr. Admasu Nebebe, State Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation (MoFEC), Ms Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Representative to Ethiopia and heads of Regional Bureaus of Finance and Economic Cooperation. UNFPA also attended the signing ceremony, as one of the UN agencies signing annual workplans with the Government of Ethiopia under the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2016-2020). UNFPA was represented by Mrs. Bettina Maas, UNFPA Country Representative to Ethiopia.
The workplans will create a platform for the implementation of integrated child-focused development interventions in Ethiopia’s regional states and city administrations. This year, with support from MoFEC, UNICEF has managed to reduce the number of work plans from 143 to 89 by integrating related programs that are currently being implemented by different implementing partners. The reduction will strengthen collaboration and coordination among implementing partners and will contribute to efficient utilization of resources by reducing operating costs and facilitating joint program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
In his remarks, Mr. Admasu Nebebe said the continued support and resources mobilized by UNICEF and UN agencies in the past decades has been valuable to Ethiopia’s development. In particular, he singled out the participatory process used to develop the workplans as a key to enhance mutual accountability and ownership of programs.
Ms. Gillian Mellsop said UNICEF highly values its partnership with MoFEC and the Regional Bureaus. Appreciating the fact that the vast majority of resources are allocated to the regions, Ms. Mellsop said UNICEF is grateful for the support and collaboration of the regional government partners to deliver results for children and women in general and to reach the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children in particular.
The workplans will be implemented by more than 140 regional and federal government partners covering 12 program areas that include health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, early warning and disaster preparedness, violence against children, ending child marriage and FGM, birth registration, child rights, communication, public finance for children, evidence generation, and program coordination, monitoring and evaluation.
Source: UNICEF Ethiopia