WHEREAS, it is necessary to help the rural poor have access to basic social services, and to raise their income generating potential through the provision of economic infrastructure and services;

WHEREAS, to this end, it is found necessary to expand the Ethiopian Social Rehabilitation Fund, initially established on a pilot basis, into a country-wide program;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to create an organ for the implementation of this program and for the suitable management of a bottom-up approach of project identification, formulation and implementation;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is here by proclaimed as follows: