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About CRDA |
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Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA) is an indigenous non-profit umbrella organization. It is
an association of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in
relief and rehabilitation, developmental activities focusing on poverty alleviation and policy advocacy and
lobbying. It is the first legally registered association of NGOs/CSOs operating in Ethiopia and serves as a
forum for collective vision and action. It allows resource mobilization and the sharing of experiences for
effective and sustained impact. CRDA builds capacity to ensure efficiency and quality are met, efforts are not
duplicated and lessons can be learnt. All this is geared towards championing societal transformation.
Establishment
When rains failed in most parts of former Wollo and Tigray provinces of Ethiopia in the 1970s, famine set
in and reached a critical stage in 1973. The then existing government of Ethiopia finally acknowledged the
existence of one of the worst famines the provinces had ever experienced. About that time, Government
officials approached church agencies for the latter's assistance in the relief efforts. A meeting of churches
was summoned to discuss the matter. The meeting was called and thereafter participants continued to meet
regularly, resulting in the establishment of the Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA), in May
1973.
The Logo
“CRDA” stands for Christian Relief and Development Association. Its name as well as the logo of an Ethiopian
cross are a reminder of the Association’s early roots as an organization that mobilized various churches in
Ethiopia to respond to the grave humanitarian situation of the time.
Today, CRDA’s membership has broadened significantly and many secular and non-Christian religious organizations
have joined the Association, motivated by a basic commitment to serve all rather than to promote any religious
values. As such, the Association is mindful of its stated value to be inclusive, that membership and their
staff come from a diverse range of faith and secular backgrounds. Its membership has diverse missions and
objectives, and it has now begun a process of discussion among its members on whether its name and logo should
be retained.
Membership
At establishment in 1973, CRDA had 13 members. As of February 2009, this number has increased more than twenty
six times over to 350 member agencies operating in Ethiopia. This number covers good portion of active NGOs
operating in the country. Of CRDA’s total membership, 72% (251) are local NGOs, and 28% (99) are
international. The membership operate throughout the country, covering both urban and rural areas emphasizing
food security, rural and urban development, health, HIV/AIDS, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure,
good governance, environmental protection, civic education, etc. Though they are varied in their organization,
activities and scope of intervention, all CRDA members envision a society where human dignity, justice, peace
and equality prevail and needs are satisfied.
Click Here to read more on the History and Evolution of CRDA
Click Here to read more on the Organizational Objectives
and Services of CRDA
Click Here to read more on CRDA's Mission and Functions
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