ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the role of Non-governmental organization (NGOs) on both sides of the conflict and examines the coordination arrangements that developed. It focuses upon the emergency relief desk (ERD), the principal NGO coordination mechanism for assistance to the areas controlled by the Fronts. The large-scale relief and rehabilitation operations were undertaken in northern Ethiopia and Eritrea by NGOs, the Red Cross Movement, UN agencies and agencies of the government of Ethiopia (GOE) and the Fronts. This chapter discusses on development and operation of the Christian relief and development association (CRDA) and a brief description of the joint relief partnership (JRP) is also provided. CRDA describes its primary role as being: The coordination function was undertaken by providing the mechanisms for the exchange of information and by exercising control over significant material and financial resources which could be allocated to the members programmes.
