Evaluation of the Response to the 2002-03 Emergency in Ethiopia

The objective of the report is to assess the appropriateness of the government and international community response to the humanitarian crisis in 2002/2003; to measure the effectiveness of coordination, preparedness and response mechanisms in place at all levels to deal with the deal with the crisis and provide specific recommendations to improve these systems; draw lessons learned from the emergency and response that can be applied to future emergencies faced by the country, and possibly by other countries, and highlight good/innovative practices.

This report attempts to review the many complex aspects of the humanitarian crisis which occurred in different regions of Ethiopia, during 2003 as a result of the failure of the 2002 Belg and Meher rains. The report is based on existing agency documentation and evaluations, supplemented by discussions with Government officials, humanitarian agencies and farmer associations in the affected regions and the capital. The lessons learned were analysed in workshops with the inter-ministerial task forces. The report was reviewed and endorsed by the Steering Committee.