Tag: ethiopia

Categories
Africa News

WFP calls for urgent funding to support Ethiopia

According to the WFP, severe shortages of water and pasture are devastating livelihoods, forcing families from their homes…reports Asian Lite News

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed for urgent funding to avoid a major humanitarian crisis in drought-affected areas of Ethiopia.

The WFP, in its latest Ethiopia Drought Response Situation Report, said over 24 million people are projected to be affected by drought in the country in October, of which at least 9.9 million people need emergency food assistance.

“Immediate and scaled-up assistance is critical to avoid a major humanitarian crisis in the drought-affected areas of Ethiopia and help communities become more resilient to extreme climate shocks,” the WFP said.

The WFP said it “urgently needs” $197 million to provide assistance over the next eight months, responding to the needs of $3.5 million of the most drought-affected people.

According to the WFP, severe shortages of water and pasture are devastating livelihoods, forcing families from their homes.

It said the Somali, Oromia, Sidama, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) regions in the south and southeastern parts of Ethiopia have been hit the hardest by the ongoing drought.

While the fifth failed rainy season is projected to take place between October and December this year, at least 3.5 million livestock have already perished and another 25 million are at risk, the WFP said.

“At the same time, 2.2 million children are already acutely malnourished due to the impact of drought — over 760,000 of these children are severely malnourished.”

The WFP is presently supporting families with a combination of emergency relief, nutrition support and resilience-building actions to save lives in the short term and build resilience in the long term.

It, however, noted that due to funding shortfalls, WFP is delivering food assistance to 2.4 million people in the Somali region, even though 3.3 million people are projected to be in need.

The WFP also said it aims to treat 143,000 malnourished children and mothers in the region with specialized nutritious foods.

In the Oromia and SNNP regions, the WFP is delivering specialized nutritious foods to 305,000 mothers and children to address acute malnutrition concerns and providing nutritious school meals to 133,000 children whose families have been affected by the drought, it said.

ALSO READ-WFP: 19 million Afghans face food insecurity

Categories
-Top News Europe

Peace talks between Ethiopian govt, rebels to be held next week

While the AU is yet to officially confirm the new date for the proposed peace talks, the TPLF is also yet to reply…reports Asian Lite News

The African Union (AU)-led peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) will officially start next week, an official announced here.

“The African Union Commission (AUC) has informed us that peace talks are set for October 24, to be held in South Africa. We have reconfirmed our commitment to peace,” Xinhua news agency Redwan Hussien, the national security advisor to the Prime Minister, said in a tweet on Thursday.

Hussien further accused unspecified parties of intending to pre-empt the peace talks and spreading false allegations against the “defensive measures” the government is undertaking in the country’s conflict-hit northern Tigray region.

The peace talks were previously planned for October 8, but they were postponed reportedly for “logistical and technical reasons”.

While the AU is yet to officially confirm the new date for the proposed peace talks, the TPLF is also yet to reply.

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation, has seen a devastating conflict between government-allied troops and forces loyal to the TPLF since November 2020, which has left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian aid had been heading to the Tigray region after the government and the rebel forces agreed to a conditional cessation of hostilities and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the region in late March.

Conflict resumed in August as the government and TPLF accused each other of resuming fighting.

The resumption of fighting has led to the halting of humanitarian aid flowing into the Tigray region.

ALSO READ-Food crisis worse than ever in Ethiopia

Categories
-Top News Africa News

Food crisis worse than ever in Ethiopia

The trio called on all partners to strengthen efforts to address their immediate and long-term food needs in line with international commitments…reports Asian Lite News

The World Food Programme (WFP), UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and Ethiopian Government Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) made the plea for assistance because without it, WFP will run out of food for the refugees by October.

The impending crisis will leave vulnerable families at risk of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and increased susceptibility to diseases, the agencies warned.

“Three quarters of a million refugees will be left with nothing to eat in just a matter of weeks unless we receive funding immediately,” said Claude Jibidar, WFP’s Representative and Country Director for Ethiopia.

Support needed

The agencies have established an effective system to identify the food assistance needs of refugees through biometric verification, accountability mechanisms and programmes to grant monthly food and cash assistance.

The trio called on all partners to strengthen efforts to address their immediate and long-term food needs in line with international commitments. 

Meanwhile, WFP, UNHCR and RRS will continue to count on donors for extended funding support based on the principle of shared responsibility to implement basic humanitarian life-saving activities.

Cutting rations has been an issue with which WFP has long had to grapple.

Food rations for refugees in Ethiopia were first reduced by 16 per cent in November 2015, then 40 per cent in November 2021, and finally 50 per cent in June 2022.

The impact of these cuts has been heightened by global limitations on food availability, widespread economic shock, rising food and energy costs, the COVID-19 fallout, and armed conflict.

Impact of cuts

To understand the impact of ration cuts on refugees, WFP, UNHCR and RRS conducted in April, a rapid assessment on 1,215 refugee camps households throughout relevant regions.

The results show that most had coped with food insecurity by reducing the number of meals eaten in a day, consuming less expensive foods, or limiting meal portions. 

The joint assessment also revealed that households are going to desperate measures to make up for funding cuts.

Funding repercussions

Funding cuts have forced refugees to rely on an ever-finite supply of food, which increases the likelihood of resource-based conflicts.

Data shows that many families have been relying on children to generate extra income to afford food.

Other households were forced to borrow cash, relying on friends or relatives for sustenance.

“We have a shortfall of $73 million for refugees’ minimum needs and we are deeply concerned that if funding cuts continue, they may consider returning to their places of origin when it is unsafe,” warned Mr. Jibidar.

Taking action 

More resources must be mobilized to meet immediate food demands, and smart investments should be taken to prioritize sustainable farming.  

“The priority for us all must be to restore assistance to at least minimum levels for refugees, all of whom are solely reliant on WFP’s cash and food assistance for survival,” said the UN Country Director.

With an immediate donor response, WFP would be able to buy food available in the region to meet the dietary needs of the refugees and also transfer cash to the refugees, providing them the choice of how to meet their immediate needs and stimulating local markets.

Support needed

The agencies have established an effective system to identify the food assistance needs of refugees through biometric verification, accountability mechanisms and programmes to grant monthly food and cash assistance.

The trio called on all partners to strengthen efforts to address their immediate and long-term food needs in line with international commitments. 

Meanwhile, WFP, UNHCR and RRS will continue to count on donors for extended funding support based on the principle of shared responsibility to implement basic humanitarian life-saving activities.

$73 mn appeal for over 750K refugees

The UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ethiopian Government Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) have launched a $73-million joint appeal to provide food rations to more than 750,000 refugees living in the east African country.

In a joint press statement, the three organizations on Tuesday said the funds are essential to meet the food ration needs of the refugees for the next six months, Xinhua news agency reported.

“WFP will completely run out of food for refugees by October, leaving vulnerable families who are dependent on food assistance at risk of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, susceptibility to diseases and increased protection risks,” the statement added.

“Due to protracted funding shortfalls, WFP has already been forced to cut rations for 750,000 registered refugees living in 22 camps and five sites in hosting communities in Ethiopia’s Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella, Somali and Tigray regions,” the statement further said.

Food insecurity among refugees in Ethiopia has risen as a result of the cuts and is even further compounded by current global limitations to food availability, conflict, rising costs of food and energy as well as the fallout from Covid-19.

The three organisations further called on all partners to strengthen efforts to address both the medium and long-term food needs of refugees in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is the third largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, with 870,507 refugees and asylum seekers as of June 2022, UNHCR figures show. The majority of the refugees originate from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.

ALSO READ-Egypt, US discuss global food crisis

Categories
-Top News UAE News

Ethiopian delegation explores Dubai’s digital economy

The visiting delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in Ethiopia and executives from Perago Information Systems PLC…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai Chambers organised a visit for a delegation from Ethiopia recently, welcoming 10 notable decision-makers from the public and private sectors.

The delegation was headed by Ewnetu Abera, CEO of Perago Information Systems PLC, the company mandated with implementing the .gov initiative for the Federal Government of Ethiopia.

The delegates sought to explore Dubai’s success in digital services, discuss the prospects of establishing potential business partnerships, and sign agreements that would support the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, in addition to exchanging knowledge and expertise.

The visiting delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in Ethiopia and executives from Perago Information Systems PLC.

The delegation held eight meetings with representatives from Dubai Chambers, Digital Dubai, and several companies, including OnTime, Value Grid, Digital Falcon, and World1Media, to discuss opportunities for establishing partnerships and collaborations.

The delegation met with Khalid Al-Jarwan, Executive Director of Dubai Chamber for Digital Economy, who introduced them to the evolution of the digital economy in the Emirate of Dubai, as well as the chamber’s efforts to fulfil the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to promote the emirate as a world capital of digital economy and a leading destination for international digital companies.

Al-Jarwan stressed the importance of partnerships and collaborative efforts, highlighting Dubai’s competitive advantages to digital start-ups looking to expand globally.

Ethiopia is a leading digital start-up market in Africa and an important economic partner for the Emirate of Dubai, Al-Jarwan explained.

The delegates noted that Dubai and its public and private sectors had accumulated extensive experience that can help Ethiopia achieve the objectives of its Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy.

Omar Khan, Director of International Offices at Dubai International Chamber, said that organising this delegation comes at a time when efforts are being made across the board to advance Dubai’s position as a global business destination, and a hub for international expertise in customer service and digital transformation. He noted that the visit has opened doors wide for future collaborations.

The visiting delegation toured the Membership and Documentation department at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, where they met with its Director Abdulla Al-Theeb and explored the smart services offered to members.

Al-Theeb highlighted the principles that the chamber’s customer service and digital transformation systems rely on, pointing out that customer happiness is a top priority that requires continuous investment to provide exceptional solutions for customers to complete their transactions easily and conveniently, saving them time and effort.

Ewnetu Abera said, “The experience exchange programme organised by Dubai Chambers allowed us to explore the digital technologies driving a new level of growth. We have also benefitted from the meetings we held with private sector companies, including start-ups and established corporations, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the Ethiopian market. In addition, we will be working closely with Dubai Chambers to turn these meetings and discussions into productive business opportunities.”

ALSO READ: UAE signs peace treaty with ASEAN

Categories
Africa News

Ethiopia’s plan to fill reservoir opposed by Egypt at UN

It is the affirmation of Egypt’s legitimate rights to defend its national interests, he said, adding: “I see that the tone has become more powerful than before.”…reports Asian Lite News

Egypt said it had protested to the UN Security Council on Friday against Ethiopian plans to fill the reservoir of a controversial Nile dam for a third year without agreement from downstream countries.

The multibillion-dollar Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile is set to be the largest hydroelectric scheme in Africa but has been at the center of a dispute with Egypt and Sudan ever since work began in 2011.

Egypt “received a message from the Ethiopian side on July 26, stating that Ethiopia would continue filling the reservoir of the Renaissance Dam during the current flood season,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.

In response, Egypt wrote to the UN Security Council “to register its objection and complete rejection of Ethiopia’s continuation of filling the Renaissance Dam unilaterally without a deal.”

Mohamed Nasr Allam, Egypt’s former irrigation minister, told Arab News that the Egyptian move is a step on the right path. “We have moved from complaining to demanding that the UN Security Council play an active role in this case.”

It is the affirmation of Egypt’s legitimate rights to defend its national interests, he said, adding: “I see that the tone has become more powerful than before.”

Mohamed Mahmoud Mahran, a specialist in international river disputes and a member of the American Society of International Law, said if the UNSC sees a threat to international peace and security in connection with a conflict, it must intervene immediately to maintain security.

“The Renaissance Dam threatens the lives of over 150 million Sudanese and Egyptian citizens. If no agreement is reached and Ethiopia acts unilaterally, and if the UNSC doesn’t intervene, it could lead to unprecedented scenarios and spark a regional war.”

ALSO READ-Ethiopia, AfDB sign two grant financing deals

Categories
Africa News

Ethiopia, AfDB sign two grant financing deals

Earlier this week, members of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia started their first visit to Ethiopia…reports Asian Lite News

The Ethiopia Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday signed two grant financing agreements worth 44.4 million U.S. dollars.

The MoF said in a press statement that two projects focused on food security and capacity building, respectively.

“The first project is a 40 million U.S. dollars scheme to finance the implementation of a program to build food and nutrition security,” the MoF statement said. “The second project is a 4.4 million U.S. dollars scheme to be used for the implementation of a program to strengthen macroeconomic management.”

The two grant financing agreements aim to boost peace and security in drought-prone lowland areas of Ethiopia through agricultural resilience, as well as strengthen the capacity of key macro institutions.

The AfDB has previously signed a host of financial aid agreements with Ethiopia to boost the East African country’s economic development, including a 71.3-million-U.S.-dollar grant agreement to finance the Ethiopia-Djibouti power interconnection project. The agreement signed in July 2021 is used to finance the construction of a transmission line from Ethiopia to Djibouti.

Earlier this week, members of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia started their first visit to Ethiopia.

The visit, slated from July 25 to 30, will be the Commission’s first-ever visit to the East African country since it was established by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in December 2021, the the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Monday in a statement.

The Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law in Ethiopia committed since November 3, 2020, by all parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The OHCHR added that during their visit in Ethiopia, the members of the Commission will interact with a wide range of interlocutors. The experts are also expected to issue a statement after they conclude their Ethiopian visit, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the experts are in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to discuss with Ethiopian government officials and other stakeholders to try to find mutually acceptable modalities for possible engagement with the government in discharging their mandate.

ALSO READ-Human rights experts begin Ethiopia tour

Categories
Africa News

Ethiopia kills 153 suspected rebels accused of massacre

Ethiopian government officials and survivors have accused OLA fighters of carrying out the massacre, a charge the rebel group has denied…reports Asian Lite News

The Ethiopian Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force disclosed that it had killed 153 suspected Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebels accused of having committed a recent massacre.

The task force said in a press statement that another 900 suspected OLA rebels have been detained during a month-long security sweep from June 14 to July 14, Xinhua news agency reported.

During this campaign, individual and group level firearms, a huge amount of bullets and bullets magazines, various military fatigue uniforms, as well as several vehicles have been seized from the OLA, the statement said.

According to the statement, the killed and arrested suspected OLA rebels were related to a massacre carried out last month on mainly ethnic Amhara farmers in Tole rural locality of Gimbi district, West Wollega zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia region.

Ethiopian government officials and survivors have accused OLA fighters of carrying out the massacre, a charge the rebel group has denied.

The Ethiopian government has disclosed hundreds of people were killed in the massacre.

The OLA is a breakaway armed faction of an ex-rebel group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). In May 2021, the Ethiopian parliament voted to designate the OLA as a terrorist group.

Al-Shabab fighters killed

Authorities in Ethiopia’s Somali region announced that they have killed more than 100 Al-Shabab fighters during a failed incursion from neighbouring Somalia by the militant group.

 In a press statement released on Saturday evening, the Somali Region Communication Bureau said the Al-Shabab fighters were killed earlier this week during a security operation led by the region’s special police forces that lasted for three days.

An armed Al-Shabab team that entered the Afder zone of the Somali region four days ago has been completely destroyed, the statement said.

Thirteen vehicles that were used by the militants during their incursion into the southeastern Ethiopia region were destroyed, it said.

Large amounts of food supplies and firearm caches were also captured from the Al-Shabab militants. Somalia has struggled with the lack of an effective central government since 1991 when former President Mohammed Siad Barre was ousted from power by armed rebellion, leading to a civil war.

The weakness of the central government of Somalia has led to the proliferation of sea piracy, illegal fishing by foreign boats and attacks by terror groups, most notably Al-Shabab.

ALSO READ-2,803 Sudanese refugees return from Ethiopian camps

Categories
-Top News Africa News

2,803 Sudanese refugees return from Ethiopian camps

Benishangul Gumuz region has in recent years hosted thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their respective countries…reports Asian Lite News

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in a report said 2,803 Sudanese refugees have returned from camps in Ethiopia in recent weeks.

In an Ethiopia Emergency Situation Report, the UNHCR on Monday added that the refugees returned to their home country, Sudan, through the Kurmuk border point, in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul Gumuz region.

The UNHCR report also said a total of 7,559 Sudanese and 452 South Sudanese refugees have returned to their home countries from camps in Ethiopia since February 2022, Xinhua news agency reported.

Benishangul Gumuz region has in recent years hosted thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict in their respective countries.

The UNHCR said separately that 772 Sudanese refugees have returned to their home country in the last two weeks from camps in Ethiopia’s southwestern Gambella region, citing recent insecurity in the area for their return.

Ethiopia in June imposed a night curfew in Gambella city, capital of Gambella region. The curfew is still in effect.

The curfew was imposed in the immediate aftermath of a joint attack by Gambella Liberation Army and Oromo Liberation Army rebels that left an unspecified number of combatants and civilians dead.

In recent years, deadly clashes between various ethnic groups in the Gambella region have killed scores and displaced thousands. The clashes are mainly over access to power and land resources.

Gambella region has also hosted thousands of South Sudanese refugees fleeing civil war since 2013.

ALSO READ-WFP gets $1.29mn to scale up humanitarian aid to South Sudan

Categories
Africa News

Ethiopians face transportation headache as fuel prices soar

The soaring price of fuel is impacting transportation service in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital where commuters are seen waiting for hours before they could get rides…reports Asian Lite News

The Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration recently increased the price of gasoline by 30 per cent to 47.83 birr ($0.92) per litre and hiked the price of one litre of diesel by 38 per cent to 49.02 birr, Xinhua news agency reported.

Commuters who spoke to Xinhua news agency said they had to wait for hours for taxis and pay higher fares despite the government’s fuel subsidies for commercial transport providers.

“There is a critical transportation problem and we had to queue for long hours as there are fewer taxis. This is due to the fuel price hike,” said Lidya Endeshaw.

Endeshaw added that the taxi fare increment that followed the fuel price hike is in particular affecting low-income people.

Tewodros Meshesha, a taxi driver in Addis Ababa, on his part said amid the latest fuel price hike, the number of vehicles on the road significantly decreased.

He argued that taxi drivers were not informed well about the government’s new fuel subsidy scheme and they are purchasing fuel at the same price as ordinary private vehicle owners, causing them to eventually charge higher fares due to their rising fuel expenses.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics recently said it has introduced a Fuel Subsidy Beneficiary scheme for commercial transport providers so that they can serve commuters at reduced transportation costs.

Abdulber Shemesu, an official from the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics, said that the subsidy is part of the government’s efforts to relieve commuters from the impact of the latest fuel price hike and increasing cost of living.

“The subsidy has been in place since July 6 but the majority of commercial transport providers lack awareness on how they can make use of the subsidy and they have been observed halting services,” Shemesu added.

ALSO READ:Ethiopia, UN ink pact for rehabilitation

The increase in fuel price is stoking fears of further deteriorating the already soaring cost of living among ordinary Ethiopians. Africa’s second-most populous nation is already witnessing a sharp price increase in basic items.

Five litres of edible oil used to be sold for around 400 birr but is recently being sold for about 1,100 birr. Amid scarce edible oil supply to the market and the eventual soaring demand, the government had previously dropped taxes and tariffs on imports of all edible oil products.

Ethiopia recorded 34 per cent general inflation in June, with food inflation alone reaching 38.1 per cent.

Categories
Africa News

Ethiopia, UN ink pact for rehabilitation

Ethiopia has signed a third-party implementation agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the rehabilitation of infrastructure projects in the East African country’s northern Tigray region…reports Asian Lite News

The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance (MoF) said in a press statement that the agreement is part of the Ethiopian government’s national recovery program financed by the World Bank (WB), which is titled Response-Recovery-Resilience for Conflict-Affected Communities in Ethiopia Project, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Based on the agreement with UNOPS the agency will implement activities identified under rebuilding and improving access to basic services and climate-resilient community infrastructure,” the MOF statement said.

The MoF also said under the agreement the UNOPS will implement activities of providing rapid response services to communities in Tigray in consultation with communities.

The UNOPS will also reconstruct basic service-providing infrastructures affected by the conflict in consultation with the communities, as well as support community-level social institutions in Tigray.

Last month, the World Bank and the MoF signed a 715 million U.S. dollars financial assistance agreement to help Ethiopian communities affected by conflict and drought.

ALSO READ:Sudan voices self-restraint amid mounting border crisis with Ethiopia

Humanitarian aid is recently heading to the Tigray region after the Ethiopian government and the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) agreed to a conditional cessation of hostilities and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the region.

The TPLF and the Ethiopian National Defense Force, backed by allied forces, have been engaged in a 20-month conflict that has reportedly left tens of thousands of people dead and millions of others in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

The Ethiopian parliament designated the TPLF as a terrorist organization in May 2021.