ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Development and Inter-church Aid Commission (EOC-DICAC) and the Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO) have launched the “Mignote Project,” a 2.1 million Euros initiative funded by the Netherlands Embassy.
The project aims to alleviate poverty and strengthen self-reliance among refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Addis Ababa and Debre Birhan over the next two years, benefiting 800 households.
At the project launch held at the Netherlands Embassy, EOC-DICAC Commissioner Yilikal Shiferaw described the Mignote Project as a “beacon of hope and collaboration.”
He emphasized the importance of localization, stating that solutions for refugee and IDP crises often originate far from the affected communities. He praised the Netherlands Embassy for “piloting the localization agenda,” not just funding a project but “investing in local ownership and fostering long-term resilience.”
Yilikal highlighted EOC-DICAC’s ongoing work to address the challenges faced by vulnerable communities through programs focused on education, health, rural development, livelihood support, and emergency response.
The Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) Deputy Director Berhutesfa Mulugeta emphasized the power of collaboration, empathy, and local leadership in addressing the needs of refugees. He stressed that the most effective responses to forced displacement and migration are those deeply rooted within the communities they serve.
Berhutesfa underscored that localization is not optional but imperative in Ethiopia, which hosts the largest refugee population in Africa. He believes the Mignote Project exemplifies the transformative potential of localization in improving lives.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador Christine Pirenne affirmed that localization is a key priority for the embassy, with the Netherlands government promoting local ownership and context-specific programming. She acknowledged that localization requires capacity building, particularly in monitoring programs, and building trust in local organizations’ ability to implement effectively. Christine commended Ethiopia for hosting over 1.1 million refugees despite the challenges of displacement and migration.
The Mignote Project will provide beneficiaries with skills-based training, psychosocial support, financial linkages, and GBV protection, with a focus on disability inclusion.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025
