THE ROLE OF EXTERNAL INTERVENTION TO ALLEVIATE FOOD INSECURITY THE CASE OF KOMBOLCHA WEREDA, EAST HARARGHE ZONE

Abstract

This study was conducted in Kombolcha wereda, Eastern Hararghe Zone Oromiya Regional state with the main objective of assessing the role of external intervention to alleviate food insecurity, specifically, this research tried to investigate the relationship of local inhabitants and external intervening organizations; investigate the effects of external intervention in the study area; and analyze the changes in the livelihoods of the inhabitants as a result of the external intervention. To address the stated objectives, both quantitative and qualitative methodology was employed. Closed ended questioner, structured-open ended interviews; focus group discussion, key informant interview and non –participant observation were used to collect the data. The result of the study show that the perception of food aid recipients have very good attitude towards aid organizations and very good relationship between the aid receivers and aid organizations. Opposed to this there are also some respondents who have less attitude and relationship with aid organizations. This implies that there is still more efforts that aid organizations need to work. Aid organizations have a positive attitude toward the beneficiaries and are doing their jobs paying care and attention to the peoples’ culture, tradition and custom. They indicated that NGOs respected their religious affiliation and ethnic identity without discrimination. There was a problem on the selection of beneficiaries. The problem has taken place during the selection process not on the criteria. The selection process is done by the representatives of the local communities, those who lead Farmers Associations and vii Committees. A person who seeks a political affiliation requirement will be selected to the aid, a tendency especially to safety net program. The aid organizations are not in the position to alleviate food insecurity in a sustainable and fully fledged manner. Respondents marked that the ineffectiveness of the food aid aroused from inadequacy of the delivery. The untimely of the aid is put as another reason to the failure. Beneficiary selection criteria and selection process should work with all stakeholders i.e. all beneficiaries, committees, government officials and aid organization officers. A person who seeks a political affiliation requirement should not be selected to food aid and safety net program. The study mainly suggests, even though, the aid organizations aim for emergency and program food aid for short term .all stakeholders should give awareness creation training for food aid receivers about self sufficiency , working culture and making income generation for their future livelihood. The external interventionist and the governmental organizations should work together with the inhabitants to alleviate their food insecurity in different ways. Conducting other researches in the area is a recommendable.