Call for stronger civil society role

Civil society must play a stronger role in shaping the direction of Ethiopia, the global head of the NGO, Save the Children Alliance, said on Friday. Burkhard Gnarig said it was vital there should be more civil society engagement in decision-making and implementation of key development strategies. His comments come after leading non-governmental organisations complained they had been sidelined in drawing up a crucial new food security strategy for the country. The US $3 billion strategy – which has been hailed by the international community - is a rescue package aimed at slashing Ethiopia’s food aid dependency in three to five years. Gnarig said that while government must “take the lead”, civil society and charities have a key role to play in implementing strategies. “I don’t believe that a national government is able to commit as much time and to go as deep to the local levels as we can do as NGOs,” he said during his first visit to the country. “We believe that Ethiopia can improve in reducing the risks, in preparing better and making sure that emergencies affect as few people as possible,” he added.