End Review of the Norwegian People Aid Mine Action Programme in Ethiopia 2005 to 2007

The Project 
In cooperation with the Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO), the Norwegian
People's Aid (NPA) has been implementing a mine action program, principally aimed at developing EMAO's capacities for using mine detection dogs and for carrying out technical surveys of suspected hazardous areas. The original project period was from 2005 to 2007. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in Addis Ababa, has been the main donor to the project, which has also received funding from Finland and the Netherlands.
The project under review 2005-2007 received NOK 24,1 million in the period.

Interesting Findings

• The NPA Mine Action Programme in Ethiopia 2005-2007 is found to be a successful capacity building and transfer-of-knowledge project: It is highly relevant for Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) and the Ethiopian context; in spite of delays along the way, most planned activities were realized by the end of the project period; new competence and capacity have been built in EMAO with respect to both project components; these new capacities are being used effectively in the field and complementary to EMAO's other assets; and while there is still some EMAO dependence on outside technical support, this is expected to be overcome in the ongoing extension of the program.
• Relations between EMAO and NPA have at times been strained, but at the end of the project period a good partnership relation based on mutual respect has been established. A greater involvement in partnership discussions of EMAO staff below top management level could have deepened the relationship further.
• The Ethiopian programme is different from NPA's other mine action operations in that it seeks to build the capacity of a local institution instead of establishing NPA as an independent actor. This, of course, should be the preferred option if the institutional context allows it, as is the case in Ethiopia. NPA has represented a very clear value added to the project, principally through its technical competence in a highly specialized field, but also due to its flexibility and ability to react fast. EMAO is explicit in stating that new funding for a continuation of the programme for the period 2008-2011 should also be channelled through NPA so as to avoid any unnecessary delays.
• For EMAO the project has contributed with new assets that complement existing capacities, thus increasing overall efficiency and effectiveness. There is, however, a potential for greater integration of the Task Impact Assessment (TIA) component into EMAO's overall work.
• EMAO is a strong and efficient organization which will ensure institutional sustainability for the project components once remaining capacity building needs are met. EMAO would, however, benefit from greater information flow to and involvement of staff below top management.
• EMAO expresses strong ownership of the programme and this is further demonstrated by decisions tying own funds to its continuation. This is also an indication of overall government ownership of the program.
• The work of EMAO, including the components supported by NPA, implies a strong contribution to development. Contrary to popular perceptions, the main benefit from a mine action programme may be the fact that land is released for productive purposes (even if protection of life and limbs also remains an important effect). In a country where dependent on agriculture, and where there is a shortage of land in many areas, such as Ethiopia, this is of great importance for development purposes.