Tracey Ann Jacobson, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to Ethiopia, and leaders from other international missions visited Lalibela, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in Ethiopia.
Ambassador Jacobson was joined by Dr. Catherine Sozi, UN Resident Coordinator; Dr. Yumiko Yokozeki, Director, UNESCO Office, Ethiopia; Stuart Campbell, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy; Michael Upton, New Zealand’s Ambassador; Sileshi Girma, State Minister of Tourism; and Professor Abebaw Ayalew, Director General, ARCCH (Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage). The delegation members, each representing organizations which have contributed significantly to cultural preservation in Lalibela, visited sites, assessed the impact of the conflict, met with local church and town officials, and spoke with local tourism operators.
Ambassador Jacobson and the delegation met with local community representatives, who explained how the local economy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict that raged across the Amhara region. They heard firsthand about the challenges the Lalibela community is facing and what support they need to move forward.