5S-Ethiopia Project signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CCRDA

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is entered between the Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases Foundation Ethiopia and Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA) in Oct 2021. The Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases Foundation Ethiopia is a research project which is being implemented by the Department of Global Health and Infection at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), in collaboration with the Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) in Ethiopia.  

• The 5S Ethiopia project aims to end neglect of two stigmatizing skin diseases (Podoconiosis and Scabies) in Ethiopia through bringing the social sciences to bear on these conditions by identifying interventions informed by social science perspectives at the level of the patient, the community and national and international policy.

• Podoconiosis and Scabies diseases are huge public health problems and attract stigma towards patients in Ethiopia. The conditions mainly afflict the poor and have not been given sufficient attention. Social sciences are in the best position to understand the effect of poverty and other structural factors on the conditions.

• The project intends to utilize social sciences’ theoretical frameworks and research methods to end the neglect of podoconiosis and scabies and the stigma associated with the conditions. Part of this initiative is building the capacity for social science disciplines in Ethiopia.

Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA) a consortium of more than 400 local and international charities that facilitates an enabling environment for its members and enhances their effective, meaningful and coordinated contribution to national development endeavors.CCRDA’s main engagement areas are: information/knowledge sharing; research for evidence based advocacy; facilitating enabling environment for greater contribution of CSOs ; capacity building by conducting training, workshops, seminars, experience sharing events, etc and mobilizing development grants to support the grassroots project activities of the national member NGOs.CCRDA coordinates the engagements of its members, facilitates information sharing and learning among members and with other CSOs. Hence, it has organized seven thematic learning and information sharing forums for the membership, and different technical working groups are established within each thematic forum. Moreover, the Government - NGOs partnership platforms at Federal, Regional and Zonal levels is also a platform which creates common agenda/purpose and work jointly with the government bodies. 

The Ethiopian Civil Societies Health Forum was established under the auspices of CCRDA by 20 interested CSOs in February 2012. The Forum was officially launched by HE Dr. Keseteberhan Admassu, former minister of FMoH on February 4, 2013. The main purpose of the Forum is to represent and coordinate the collective efforts of CSOs, to achieve national health sector development in a good manner. Currently the number of members has reached more than 160.The health forum is currently supported by Save the Children-Gates Advocacy Anchor Grant III 2018-20’ aiming to achieve sustained engagement of CSOs/partners//Forums/taskforces at national and regional levels on equitable and quality RMNCH, nutrition and immunization agenda including pneumonia.The two institutions agreed to execute their roles, with a spirit of commitment and understanding. The main purpose of the MoU is to promote mutual cooperation between the Social Sciences for Severe Stigmatizing Skin Diseases Foundation Ethiopia (5S Eth) and Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA) in the area of establishing Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) working group under the CCRDA health forum; co-organize various workshops at local, regional, and national levels; community awareness raising campaign; training and capacity building activities; communication resources and information sharing and other matters related to NTD.