ORDA Ethiopia Profile

Overview

In response to the sever rural poverty aggravated by the 1984 persistent drought, civil war, economic mismanagement and above all the political contention of the Derg regime, ORDA Ethiopia was founded in February 1984 as Ethiopian Relief Organization (ERO). ORDA Ethiopia legally registered as local NGO in 1991 by Ethiopian relief and rehabilitation commission and again in 1999 by the federal Ministry of Justice (MOJ). According to the new Charities and Societies Legislation, it is re-registered by MOJ Charities and Societies Agency as Ethiopian Residents Charity under license number 0607.

Before the downfall of the Derg regime, in 1991, it collected considerable cash and drug   from donors and distributed it in terms of liquid money so that they can buy some food from the nearby market and eat. The reason behind this liquid money distribution was the peace situation and inaccessibility of the area. On the other side, the organization was doing its job using committed and small groups of personnel due to lack of banking system in the intervention areas.

After the downfall of the Derg regime in 1991, the internal situation was stable and enabling for NGOs to operate. ERO then extended its relief and agricultural rehabilitation portfolio to include repatriation of Ethiopian returnees from the Sudan and resettlement of internally displaced people. Since 1993, it embarked on development interventions and implemented integrated food security and rural development projects in Ebinat, Belessa, Sekota and Metemavworedas. However, it was not guided by a strategic plan until 1997. ORDA Ethiopia undertook the first five-year strategic plan (1997-2003) during the second General Assembly held in April 1997 in Bahir Dar, and it was during this general assembly that the name ERO changed to Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA). Then the name ORDA changed to ORDA Ethiopia since it has planned to expand its operation to all over Ethiopia..

The first strategic plan defined ORDA Ethiopia priority to focus on natural resource protection, agricultural development, rural water supply and access road construction; emergency food aid and other related interventions to be taken up only when necessary. During this period, ORDA Ethiopia implemented seven Food Security and Integrated Rural Development Projects in Sekota, Ebinat, Belesssa, Wadla, TachGayint, Lay Gayint, Gublafto and Gidanworedas.

The second strategic plan (2004-2008), refined the priorities set earlier and restructured the organization accordingly, under five technical programs: Agricultural Development and Environmental protection, Forest Resources Development, Water Resources Development, Capacity Building & Community Development and Disaster prevention& Relief Programs, with six supporting units. This strategic period is a period characterized by enormous change where ORDA Ethiopia has reached to its highest visibility among the public, government, donors and partners mainly because of the foot print recognized at the grass roots level.

The third strategic plan (2009-2013) focused in three programmatic areas namely Natural resource development, water resource development, and food security & agriculture programs with mainstreaming of gender and HIV/AIDS in all programs with expanded area coverage, budget size, and diversified interventions. During the final year of the strategic period (2013), ORDA Ethiopia managed to implement 78 diversified projects in 63 Woredas in partnership with 32 funding partners and deployment of 973 (27% females)human capital. In the strategic period, ORDA Ethiopia reached 3.5 million people in 80 Woredas of the region with Ethiopian Birr 1,592,572,702(1,040,914,597cash and Eth birr 551,658,105 estimated food commodity).

ORDA Ethiopia successfully completed the 4th Strategic Plan (2006-2010). It has also achieved remarkable results by implementing the 5th Strategic Plan from 2011 to 2015. In preparation for the 6th Strategic Plan (2021-2025), it planned to carry out development activities throughout Ethiopia in addition to the Amhara region and has grown from 4 programs to 5 programs. These are the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Program, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Development Program, Agriculture and Disaster Risk Management Program, Gender, Disability Inclusion and Youth Enterprise Program, Food Commodity Management and Emergency Program.

 ORDA Ethiopia strives to realize its mission through:

  • Promotion of sustainable use and development of natural resources to ensure environmental security and diversify livelihood opportunities for poor communities and households.
  • Enhancing potable water supply and promotion of hygiene and sanitation to contribute to the creation of healthy communities and active working force.
  • Promotion of appropriate irrigation schemes with the aim of increasing crop productivity and production to contribute to food and nutrition security.
  • Promotion of improved agricultural technologies and practices to boost production and productivity so as to contribute to sustainable livelihood. 
  • Diversification of on-farm, off-farm and non-farm livelihoods for landless and unemployed women and youth to create reliable source of income.
  • In all the above mentioned interventions Mainstream gender, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, youth, climate change, persons with disability and disaster risks reduction.

ORDA Ethiopia Governance and Structure

ORDA Ethiopia is constituency based organization from which its General Assembly is formulated. Its second highest governing body, elected by the General Assembly (GA) for four years term is the Board of Directors, Which in turn it assigns the executive and deputy directors. The board of directors oversees the implementation of organizational strategies and plans and provides overall guidance to the management of the organization. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of the organization, to assign project managers in competitive base in consultation with the management of the organization and he/she is accountable to the board of directors.

The management committee of ORDA Ethiopia is composed of the executive director, the deputy directors, program directors, program managers, and coordination and service managers. The management of the organization oversees the implementation of programs and projects, and motivates staffs for better performance.

Major areas of Programs

1. Environment,Forest and Climate Change Program

2. WaSH, Irrigation and Infrastructure Development Program

3. Agriculture, Nutrition and DRM Program

4. Gender, Disability Inclusion and Youth Employment Program

5. Food Commodity Management and Emergency Program

ORDA Ethiopia Annual Budget

  • In 2018, ORDA Ethiopia annual budget has reached over 1,184.62 million billion birr
  • In 2017, ORDA Ethiopia annual budget reached over 581.12 million birr.
  • During the years, 2014 to 2016, a total fund of Birr 1.548 billion had been administered.
  • In 2013, ORDA Ethiopia mobilized resources amounting to over 600 million Birr including food commodities;
  • In 2011, the annual budget utilization have reached to 364.3 million Birr or $21.2 million USD;
  • In 2004, its annual budget utilization was 36.5 million Birr;
  • The annual budget increased from 21.77 million in 1997 to 54.7 million in 2003.

Intervention Woredas

  • In 2020, ORDA Ethiopia implemented 31 integrated projects (two emergency projects) benefiting 1.4 million people in 47 woredas of the Amhara region.

  • In 2019 budget year, 643.46 million birr was allocated in 53 woredas, benefiting 1.45 million people.

  • In 2018, ORDA Ethiopiais implemented integrated sustainable development programs over 53 woredas addressing over 1.45 million people
  • In 2017, ORDA Ethiopia has been operating 39 projects which benefits more than 1.5 million people living in 68 woredas of Amhara region.
  • During 2016 year, ORDA Ethiopia worked hard to support over 140,000 HHs living in 32 woredas people affected by the 2015/2016 severe drought of highest intensity in last 50 years.
  • In 2015, 62 projects have been implemented, funded by 28 NGOs in 66 Woredas of the region, and benefiting 1.5 million people.
  • In 2014, ORDA Ethiopia has been implementing 71 projects funded by 28 partners, in 65 woredas of the region, including Bahir Dar city, and it benefited about 2 million people
  • In 2013, ORDA Ethiopia extended its projects over 63 woredas including Bahir Dar city and reaching 1.3 million people.
  • In 2012, ORDA Ethiopia projects, which would benefit 1.6 million people, have intervened in 64 districts.
  • In 2011, this number reached at 80 that benefit more than 3.5 million people.
  • In 2004, its operational areas were limited in eight districts

Partnership Development:-

  • In 2018/19, ORDA Ethiopia works with 24 funding organizations. During the year 2018, 18 (14 proposals and 4 concept note) have been developed & 10 proposals have been accepted and enabled ORDA Ethiopia to secure Birr 397.4 million Birr.
  • In 2017 12 proposals have been developed and of these eight have been accepted & enabled ORDA Ethiopia to secured Birr 307.3 million Birr.
  • During 2014 to 2016, a total of 59 projects were developed and of these 28 projects were accepted for funding & enabled ORDA Ethiopia to secure birr 2.84 billion.
  • From 1992 to 2012, a total of funding partners collaborating with ORDA Ethiopiais about 44.
  • In 2012, the number of active funding organizations has reached at 30.
  • In 2011, the number of active funding organizations was 26.
  • In 2004, the number of funding organizations which supported ORDA Ethiopia was only seven;

Project Coordination Offices

  • ORDA Ethiopia has about seven Zonal Coordination Offices and in 2018/2019, ORDA Ethiopia implemented 32 development projects funded by 24 funding partners at grassroots or district level.

 Human Resource

  • Currently, April 2021, ORDA Ethiopia total number of employees are 2138 (665-female).
  • For 2018 summer long term trainees from different programs, departments and coordination and selected at the organizational level 14 staffs (9 for full sponsorship i.e. 7 trainees in 2nd degree & 2 trainees in 1st degree).
  • As usually didduring the year 2018, 59(5F) interns from universities & colleges get involved.
Networking (Affiliations)
  • ORDA Ethiopia is a member and founding member of most network organizations of the following operating in the country; (interested being the member of the following forums/associations:
  • Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA), (under CCRDA there are, Rural Development Forum (RDF), WASH Forum which ORDA Ethiopia Ethiopia is participating)
  • Ethiopian Nile Basin Dialogue Forum (EtNBDF),
  • Sustainable Land Use Forum (SLUF),
  • Poverty Action Network in Ethiopia (PANE) and
  • Consortium for Integration of Population Health Environment (CIPHE)
  • Association for Combating Desertification (ACD)
  • Population, Health and Environment (PHE),
  • Different regional forums and networks (HIV and Reproductive Health, Food Security, Environment and Gender forums)
  • International and National awards
  • International: Agro Action
ORDA Ethiopia Award's

ORDA Ethiopia have been awarded "THE AMERICAN BIZZ 2017" prize for our outperforming accomplishments in program (Business) Excellence

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