Books by Asnake Kefale

FSS, in collaboration with the Civil Society Support Programme I(CSSPI), designed and implemented a project on khat in Ethiopia. The project had three components: research, national conference and production of a documentary film. The research contained, two studies based on rigorous field research and using qualitative and quantitative data. The research reports, the socio-economic impacts of khat in Harar and Assossa,and the impact of khat trade on children's education in Aweday and Wondo Genethave been published and disseminated to the stakeholders and the wider public. The papers, which are included in this book generally, deal with four thematic issues-production; marketing; consumption and issues relating to the regulation of khat.

In recent years, a large number of Ethiopians are travelling to various countries as labour migrants. The Republic of South Africa and the oil-rich Gulf countries have emerged as major destinations for many documented as well as undocumented Ethiopian labour migrants. The majority of the migrants send a substantial amounts of money back to the country for different purposes. Out of this, the largest share comes through 'informal' channels, bypassing banks and other money transfer institutions. The use of informal means of money transfer is problematic as it does often violate government financial regulations, both in the sending and receiving countries. In addition, the use of informal channels denies the country valuable foreign exchange income. This monograph examines the various channels that Ethiopian labour migrants in the Republic of South Africa and the Middle East use to send remittance money to their families; and the respective advantages and drawbacks thereof. It also looks at how remittance money is utilised by receiving families and its socio-economic impacts.