Ethiopia Drought ACJR 2022 (Joint Budget & Project) SUMMARY
Ethiopia is experiencing its worst and longest climate-induced drought in 40 years. Following three consecutive failed rainy seasons since late 2020, the March-May 2022 rainy season largely failed, compromising fragile livelihoods heavily reliant on livestock and deepening food insecurity and malnutrition. The population in need of humanitarian food assistance in Ethiopia has reached record levels in 2022 - 10 to 15 million people - driven by ongoing insecurity and climate shocks that are likely to result in continued high needs into 2023. Through DRA funding Plan will respond to the most urgent needs in Liben (Guji Zone, Oromia State) on FSL, supported by MPC. In Guji zone a combination of drought and conflict are causing major acute needs to its mostly pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. Due to the drought, district authorities indicate significant yield failures, at 63% in Guji generally and over 75% in Liben specifically, causing the targeted area to be classified as IPC 4, with PLWs, PwDs and female-headed households affected in particular. Through needs assessments it was found that the most urgent gaps were immediate unconditional cash support for the most vulnerable as well as emergency actions to prevent further livestock loss, access to safe water and seeds for agriculture. Specific requests from the consulted stakeholders to address immediate short-term gaps (aside from MPC) included vaccines for livestock and a CfW approach to support livelihoods restoration. Also, HHs in Liben have lost large numbers of livestock, with over 25,000 livestock lost due to drought this year alone, and a further 145,000 in need of immediate feed and medicine support, putting at risk over 28,000 HHs relying on this livestock in Liben alone. Plan & ANE propose a life-saving MPC/FSL response to the urgent needs in Liben Woreda of Guji zone. Communities and local stakeholders indicated a strong need for MPC assistance as well as emergency livestock-saving measures to protect what remains of livelihoods. Thus, Plan/ANE propose: 
1. MPC will cover income gaps for vulnerable households and enhance FS, preventing depletion of livelihoods assets and negative coping mechanisms. Distribution of 4500ETB pm for 2 months for 1000 HHs, in particular PLWs and PwDs.
2. The FSL activities focus on crop and livestock production, in particular vaccines and crop/fodder to prevent further livestock losses in the next few months, thus providing a continued source of food in the most acute phase of the drought. Thus: Improved crop and fodder seeds for 2000 vulnerable agropastoral HHs; Ovine and Bovine pasteurellosis vaccine for 80.000 ruminants and 25.000 cattle; Anthrax vaccine for 40.000 cattle; Cash for Work for 500 HHs to rehabilitate degraded land at a rate of 150ETB per day for 20 days; comprehensive capacity building on livestock health and care for 30 local stakeholders for cascading the acquired knowledge to the project participants. The proposed response is part of Plan’s and ANE’s broader drought response, enabling cost-sharing for programme costs including offices, transport, staff and storage (locally & regionally). The project activities will build on and create synergies with ongoing programmes in the area, in particular existing WASH, FSL, CPIE and MPC projects. Water supply to support the activities (seeds/livestock) is thus assured, and the proposed activities are in line with the inter-cluster recommendations for the drought response. The project targets IPC3+ HH, and groups with specific vulnerabilities. Women, children, elderly and People with Disabilities (PWD) are bearing the brunt of this crisis. They are most affected by the lack of clean water and food. Many WHHs have lost all sources of livelihood. Therefore, these groups are specifically targeted and activities are tailored to their needs. In terms of delivery ANE is in charge of the Multi-Purpose Cash result, while Plan is in charge of the FSL result. 
• Within the FSL intervention Plan International will provide immediate lifesaving FSL support for 10,000 (agro-)pastoral households (60,000 beneficiaries) through primarily livestock-focused interventions, including provision of (improved) crop and fodder seeds, basic veterinary care, targeted veterinary training and CfW (Cash for Work) for pasture rehabilitation/enclosures.
• Within the MPC response local partner ANE will provide unconditional MPCA for 890 households (5,340 beneficiaries), with a value of 4500ETB per month for a period of two months, targeting specifically Pregnant and Lactating Women and Persons with Disabilities. Protection desks incl. awareness raising to protect GBV in relation to cash transfer will be installed at distribution centers. PDM conducted monthly.

Plan and ANE will work through direct implementation through their offices already active in the area. The project will be implemented in coordination with zonal/district government sectors and community structures. The overall management of this project is the responsibility of Plan International Oromia Region Program Area (OPA) and the ANE field team with close technical support from Plan’s and ANE’s HQs, and the assigned Project Coordinator based in Plan’s office in Negele, Guji zone capital town. Both organizations have strong local presence and are well-established within the communities. 
Plan is strongly committed to equal partnerships and ANE was involved in program development from the start. Plan and ANE have an ongoing partnership and work together frequently, including through mutual learning & capacity building. ANE will facilitate the cash transfers through an FSP with Plan’s technical support where relevant, while Plan will provide the planned activities under FSL, with ANE involved in decision-making and reviews. Plan/ANE are the only DRA Members proposing to work in Guji zone. Synergies were thus sought in particular with non-DRA ongoing and planned projects as well as Plan and ANE’s own projects.

In terms of accountability several local stakeholders were consulted through phone conversations in the design process of the project, in addition to a more elaborate needs assessment concluded 3 weeks prior to the design process. Additionally, 900 (150 community representatives, 750 beneficiaries of various inputs) will be involved in the project monitoring processes, providing information about the beneficiary selection processes, timely delivery of the planned project inputs, appropriateness of the provided inputs, quality and adaptability of the inputs as well as beneficiary satisfaction with the project. In particular, community representatives will coordinate and participate in beneficiary selection, project monitoring and evaluation processes.    

Cross-cutting themes:
• Gender-sensitivity: Gender and protection are mainstreamed throughout the project. PI’s Gender Transformative approach ensures that activities always consider the specific needs and that gender inequalities are addressed. Protection is mainstreamed through staff training. Identification and referrals are ensured through PI's ongoing CPiE project in the same area.    
• Accountability: The Core Humanitarian Standards will be adhered to throughout the project cycle: PI & ANE will establish immediately Child Friendly Feedback Mechanisms that promote gender & age-appropriate, inclusive, safe and confidential ways for children and young people to receive information, provide feedback and meaningfully participate in humanitarian programming wherever those are not yet in place through ongoing actions. All staff and volunteers are trained on PSEA as well as positive engagement with beneficiaries. PDM will track the use of/satisfaction with cash and beneficiaries’ suggestions.
• Conflict-sensitivity: Conflict-sensitivity will be integrated in all aspects of the project, in particular in beneficiary selection. PI and ANE have strong links with communities and local stakeholders and are particularly careful in Guji zone due to the existing conflict. DNH is crucial and risks will be continuously monitored. PI and ANE can build on existing programming and will provide local and representative ownership of the interventions to enable local stakeholders to share concerns and advocate for their communities.