The United States Chargé d’Affaires in Ethiopia, Ambassador Tracey Jacobson, visited regional recovery and humanitarian assistance efforts in Bahir Dar. During her visit, she also met with Amhara Regional President Yilkal Kefale, spoke with beneficiaries of the U.S.-funded programs at Bahir Dar University, and re-opened the American Corner located at the Aba Mengesha Geneme Public Library.
During her meeting with Yilikal, Jacobson re-iterated the U.S. commitment to all Ethiopians wherever they live and the United States’ call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, unhindered humanitarian access, and transparent justice mechanisms to hold accountable those who have committed human rights abuses. She asked the president to actively support the movement of aid in the region. Ambassador Jacobson pledged continued support from the United States towards the region’s recovery, including direct humanitarian aid for those displaced by the conflict. In 2021 the U.S. helped nearly 3.8 million people in the region with life-saving food assistance and allocated nearly $900 million worth of aid to Ethiopia.
U.S. Ambassador visits Amhara Region
EHRCO receives the Human Rights Award 2022
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) is to receive the Human Rights Award 2022 from the German section of Amnesty International. The award will be conferred in recognition of EHRCO’s selfless human rights advocacy in Ethiopia, which it engages in at great personal risk. The award is endowed with 10,000 euros. The statement said that the EHRCO has been the voice of human rights in Ethiopia for over 30 years. Its employees investigate human rights abuses, provide legal advice to those affected and are involved in human rights education. Their advocacy is often associated with reprisals and personal risk. The outbreak of the armed conflict in 2020 in the north of the country, especially in the Tigray region, makes EHRCO’s human rights work indispensable.
“EHRCO is the voice of the unheard in Ethiopia,” said Markus N. Beeko, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany. “For 30 years, EHRCO has been fighting for those affected by human rights abuses. For this, its supporters have been insulted, imprisoned, tortured and even killed. Nevertheless, EHRCO never allowed itself to be intimidated. Amnesty International recognises this courage and advocacy in honouring EHRCO with the Amnesty Human Rights Award – the eleventh time the award will have been conferred.”
Chinese Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa Affairs pays a visit to Ethiopia
On March 14, Xue Bing, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, met with Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two sides conducted friendly and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and major regional issues.
It should be emphasized that to support the Horn of Africa in realizing lasting peace, stability and prosperity, China is willing to act on the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, and continually play a constructive role for peace and development of the Horn of Africa and the African continent as a whole.
EU brings relief to communities affected by the drought
The European Union has provided 11 million Birr in humanitarian funding to assist vulnerable families affected by an ongoing severe drought in Ethiopia. The drought, which is also affecting other countries in the greater Horn of Africa region, is having a severe impact in the north, east and south regions of Ethiopia, especially the Somali and Oromia regions.
Running for six months, from March to August 2022, this project will benefit 50,000 most vulnerable people in Moyale zone in Somali region and in Borena zone in Oromia region. The EU funds will support the Ethiopian Red Cross society in delivering much-needed emergency support to families, especially with basic livelihood assistance allowing families to buy food, and with health and nutrition assistance.
Since the drought has compromised water sources, the Ethiopian Red Cross will also use this funding to procure water storage containers and water treatment tablets for the targeted communities. Additionally, hygiene promotion and health-awareness activities in the affected communities will be carried out, together with the training of volunteers.
