Crisis Modifier Fund (CMF): Means to Minimize Damages and Safeguard Well-Beings

USAID Transform Health in Developing Regions (T-HDR) is an Activity co-created with the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia to address the health inequity based on evidence during the end of the MDG period. The 2016 demographic health survey revealed stark health outcomes disparity among the different regional states of the country, mainly in pastoralist dominated regions, Afar and Somali. These regions are characterized by poor health outcomes and the health system has been challenged by recurrent shocks like flood, drought, disease outbreaks and inter-communal conflicts.

USAID Transform HDR is a five-year health development Activity aimed to increase availability of and access to high impact maternal and child health services with health system strengthening initiatives. Though the Activity designed to operating in areas where recurrent shocks are common, mitigation resources are not included to minimize their negative effects on implementation and gains the Activity would make. This prompted subsequent discussion platforms with USAID mission during the first two years of the Activity on how to deal with such shocks and their after effects. The Activity under the Mission’s adaptive management received amendment to include ‘Crisis Modifier Fund’ (CMF) mechanism to address the potential risks due to shocks.

The CMF has been cushioning the Activity from the recurrent shocks the regions have been experiencing and contributed to minimize the negative impacts on availability of uninterrupted health care services, damage on human lives and ultimately safeguard the investment made. In the process it was learnt that collaboration among development and humanitarian partners improved coordination and efficient use of resources.