The National COVID-19 Resource Mobilization Sub-Committee, with the help of Ethiopian Missions in various countries, has managed to collect more than 100 million Ethiopian Birr in monetary and non-monetary terms from the Ethiopian Diaspora and other entities.
This was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement to local media outlets by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office Press Secretariat, Nigusu Tilahun and Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, representing the
Fund Raising Committee, and Ethiopian Diaspora Agency Director-General,Selamawit Dawit.
In addition to the 44.8 million Birr donation, Ethiopian Diaspora contributed in-kind donations estimated 31.4 million Birr.
Foreign-based organizations and individuals sympathetic to the Ethiopian cause in fighting COVID-19 donated 23.2 million Birr.
Out of the total 109.7 million collected money, 10.2 million will be allocated to support Ethiopians residing in various African and the Middle Eastern countries who are affected by the pandemic.
On behalf of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, diplomats and Ethiopian military and Education Attachés, Gedu Andargachew handed over a 4.4 million Birr, check to Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, leader of one of the wings of the National COVID-19 Resource Mobilization Sub-Committee.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Eastern Australia, the Oromia Diaspora Association, and Mr. Tola Geda, owner of the U.S. College have also handed over their donations by check.
On the occasion, the government officials expressed their gratitude for the donations and called for continued
support.
The national resource mobilisation committee, which was established by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, has begun its work on March 26th.
The Committee is tasked with coordinating efforts of gathering financial and non-financial materials for coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency preparedness.
In addition, under the national efforts Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed leads to contain COVID-19, he called upon Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians to feed the needy at least once a day and to come up with what he called “survival innovations.”
The Ethiopian Herald May 7/2020
BY STAFF REPORTER
