The officials said it was Oxfam-Great Britain, one of 12 Oxfam branches, which criticized NGOs in Ethiopia, and not Oxfam International as appeared in an IRIN report on EthioMedia.com.

The officials said Oxfam-GB had every right to report its research findings, but to project one of the dozen Oxfam groups as voice of the rest was wrong. The Oxfams believe "there are local NGOs which have contributed and still are contributing in their capacity to reduce the burden of poverty and deprivation ...in the country."

In a December 24 IRIN report, Oxfam-GB along with Ethiopian Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA) said "small associations and NGOs should shift towards strengthening civil society, promoting democratisation, people participation and advocacy to influence debate."

DIRES DEMISSIE Country Representative Intermon Oxfam dirdem@telecom.net.et

ABERA TOLA Country Representative Oxfam America atola@telecom.net.et

GEZAHEGN KEBEDE Country Programme Manager Oxfam-GB GKebede@oxfam.org.uk

SAMUEL MOLLA Program Officer Oxfam Canada samuelmoxcan@telecom.net.et