Generous Greek Contribution shows commitment to fight under nutrition

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) today warmly welcomed a generous donation of US$ 737,463 (over 9 million Birr) from the Government of Greece. The contribution has been directed to the Targeted Supplementary Food (TSF) component of WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation. The Targeted Supplementary Food Programme, which supports the Ethiopian Ministry of Health's Child Survival Initiative, is a unique programme designed to comprehensively address the immediate causes of malnutrition among children and pregnant and lactating women
"We are extremely grateful to the Government Greece for stepping in to assist some of the neediest people in Ethiopia," said Mr. Mohammed Diab, WFP Country Director and Representative. "This is a timely donation as the project often suffers from being under-funded". The project, which is currently implemented in 342 districts throughout the country by governmental and nongovernmental partners, assists a yearly average of 1.1 million beneficiaries by targeting malnourished lactating and pregnant women and children under 5 years of age. The quarterly supplementary ration consists of 25 kg of fortified blended food and three litres of fortified vegetable oil.
"This is a clear demonstration of Greece's courage in entering the struggle against under-nutrition," said H.E. Mr. Michel Daratzikis, Ambassador of Greece to Ethiopia. "Our assistance is also based on the confidence we place in WFP's modalities of operations." Under the Targeted Supplementary Food Programme, mothers also receive basic nutrition education on how best to use the food, and on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the early months after birth. (Press Release)

Bahirdar town launches ETB 258 mln dev't projects

Bahirdar town administration said it will carry out various infrastructural development projects with over 258 million birr.
Town Administration Information Office Head, Amlaku Adamu, stated that the projects launched in the second half of this budget year would be finalized within three years. The projects include construction of pavements, market places and expansion of street light, among others, he said.
The head said the projects were based on the integrated urban development plan, the five-year strategic plan of the town administration and the current conditions of the town. Some 60 percent of the budget allocated for the execution of the projects would be covered by World Bank, 20 percent by the state government and the remaining 20 percent by the town administration, it was learnt. (Walta)

ETB 53 million investment projects launched

Twenty-seven investment projects with an aggregate capital of over 53 million Birr have been licensed in Hadiya town of South Ethiopia People State, the Zonal Trade and Industry Development Department said. Department Head Mesele Ayemo told ENA that the projects are in the areas real estate, health, agriculture education and industry development, among others. The projects also expected to generate over 300 new jobs, he said. He said the zone has reserved over 6,000 hectares of land for agricultural investment. (ENA)

Potable water facilities built operational in Hadiya Zone

Some 50 potable water facilities built with four million birr in Hadiya Zone of SNNP State were inaugurated yesterday. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, SNNP State Water Resources Development Bureau Head, Jemal Reshid, said the facilities constructed in Shashebo and Limu woredas with the financial donation obtained from Norway Christian Organization and UNICEF would benefit 30,000 inhabitants. The state government has been exerting consolidated efforts to meet the MDGs by improving potable water supply and sanitation service of the community, he said, adding that the water facilities will also raise the potable water coverage of the state.
Hadiya Zone Chief Administrator, Melese Alemu, on his part said the facilities would strengthen the effort underway to increase the involvement of women in development activities by alleviating their work burden and enhancing school enrollment. He said the construction of the water facilities would relieve the inhabitants the up to four hours travel on foot to fetch water and protect them from water borne diseases. Speaking on the occasion, Norwegian Ambassador to Ethiopia Jens Petter Kjemprud said the government of Norway would consolidate the support it has been rendering for development works. Water Resource Minster Asfaw Dingamo stated that the ministry has been realizing a strategy that enables to provide potable water and sanitation service for all citizens in the country within the coming six years.
He said the support of non-governmental organizations is encouraging to achieve the set target. Ministers, ambassadors, UNICEF representative and invited guests attended the inaugural ceremony. (Walta)

Agency collects over ETB 1.5 billion revenue

Revenue Agency of Addis Ababa City Caretaker Administration said it has collected over 1.5 billion Birr revenue during the first half of the current Ethiopian budget year. The amount of revenue collected during the reported period exceeded by 340 million Birr that of the revenue collected same time in the previous year.
Public relations, education and promotion senior expert with the agency, Eshetu Taye told ENA on Tuesday that the revenue was collected from tax, non tax and municipality revenue sources, among others. The highest amount of the total revenue was obtained from direct tax. Over 614 million Birr of the total amount of revenue was secured from direct tax.
The growth in percentage of trade profit , salary increment made to civil servants at the national level, as well as timely collection of taxes have contributed a lot for the increase in the amount of revenue. Bole, Kirkos and Kolfe-Keranio sub-cities in the metropolis ranked one up to three, respectively in collecting high amount of revenue. (ENA)

Tigray State creates 20,400 jobs, Bahirdar loans over 7.3 mln birr to youth

The micro and small-scale sector has created jobs to more than 20,000 people in Tigray State during the past six months alone, the state Trade, Industry and Transport Bureau said. Civil Service Reform and Public Relations Department Head with the bureau, Gizachew Tadis, told WIC that 20,400 jobs were created through the efforts exerted to reduce unemployment and poverty by expanding micro and small-scale enterprises in towns.
He said the jobs created during the stated period focused on construction, industry, trade and urban farming sectors. In related news, the Bahirdar Town Administration said it has provided over 7.3 million birr loan for youth engaged in micro and small-scale businesses during the past six months. Administration Information Team Leader, Meresa Berhane, told WIC today that the loan was given to 1,300 youth.
More than 700 of the beneficiaries were unemployed youth and women, he said, adding that the loan would help strengthen the capacity of youth who take part in the construction of condos and engage in wood and metal works, urban farming, poultry, silk worm development, catering and other service delivery sectors. (Walta)