ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Water Technology Institute (EWTI) says the institute in collaboration with other non-governmental organizations has handed over COVID-19 protection materials worth of over half a million Birr. The Institute has also invented safe hand wash machine which can be operated free of physical contact to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the Institute disclosed.
State Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Negash Wagesho (PhD) has received 500 Sanitizers, 400 bags, 330 face masks, 900 t-shirts and 1,200 anti-bacteria soaps from Tamene Hailu (PhD), Director General of Ethiopian Water Technology Institute in the presence of higher government officials, representatives of collaborated non-government organizations and other invited guests.
During the handing over ceremony, the Director General stated that, now is the time to combat COVID-19 together. Thus, the Institute, in collaboration with WaterAid, Jegnit-Ethiopia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided anti-epidemic materials worth of over 500,000 Birr to combat the spread of COVID-19, he disclosed.
As to the Director General, the support focused on assisting the national COVID-19 Prevention Committee. Such humanitarian support would contribute more for prevention of the spread of COVID-19, he added.
State Minister of MoWIE, Negash Wagesho (PhD) also stated that as everyone can observe the increased transmission of coronavirus at global level, controlling the spread of the virus without the collective efforts of governments and other stakeholders is far more complex and difficult to handle. Thus, the support of these government and non-government institutes is exemplary to encourage other organizations for assistance.
Institute’s Public Relations Director, Wasihun Alemayehu told The Ethiopian Herald that the challenge towards fighting COVID-19 demands concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
Wasihun also disclosed that since the institute is mandated for the effective transfer of research and technology in human lives, Institute’s water technology experts have developed safe hand wash machine which can be operated through hand free method, with a total cost of 150 thousand Birr for ten machines, he added.
Recognizing its significant role in preventing the spread of the coronavirus in the country, the institute will produce more in the future considering the demand, Wasihun noted.
As to him, the Institute has handed over the machine to the State Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Negash Wagesho (PhD).
The Ethiopian Herald April 25/2020
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
