A webinar discussion on the current situation in our country was held under the coordination of Ethiopian Diaspora members residing in the United States and Europe. The discussion in the United States was held under the coordination of three associations formed by members of the Ethiopian Diaspora in the northern America area.
During the meeting, Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United States stated that Ethiopians and Ethiopian descent are responding promptly to all calls from their home country. The Ambassador urged on the Diaspora to further continue their role in countering pressures.
The leaders and members of the associations who participated in the discussion as well as other participants pledged to fight against the forces that are working to disrupt the unity and peace of the country at home and abroad. During the discussions, it was stated that Ethiopians living at home and abroad must stand together to overcome the challenges faced by our country.
According to information obtained from the FDRE Embassy in Washington, the discussions were mainly organized by the Ethiopian Global Diaspora Community and Omo Ethiopia Unity and Justice. In the same talk, the newly appointed European Diaspora Cluster Coordinator Tesfaye Wolde has been held a zoom meeting with the Diaspora participation Coordinators in European Missions.
During the zoom discussion, Tesfaye met with the Diaspora Coordinating Diplomats in the cluster said the cluster needs to work in an organized manner to strengthen the Diaspora’s participation in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and other national projects. Participants of the forum also raised questions about cluster function, role and activities and were answered by the cluster Coordinator Tesfaye Wolde.
Among the issues raised by diplomats from Diaspora Participation Coordinators in the European Missions were the role of the European Cluster Coordination, how to bridge the information gap, how to prepare for bond sales events, and ways of strengthen the Diaspora engagement. At the end of the forum, on behalf of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Daniel Mesfin said further efforts should be made to solve the problems and promised to follow up on the issues raised.
Finally, according to information obtained from the FDRE Consulate General in Frankfurt, the cluster coordinator stressed the need for the cluster to work together to strengthen the Diaspora’s support in all possible ways. Similarly, the Diaspora has donated more than 430 million birr to vulnerable people in various parts of Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Diaspora Agency announced that it has provided over 430 million birr in financial and in-kind assistance to the people affected by the security crisis in various parts of Ethiopia. It has learnt that more than 236 million Birr has been collected from the Diaspora during the first nine months of this budget year.
It is recalled that the government has been taken law enforcement measures in the Tigray region following an October attack by the TPLF on the Northern Command. As a result, citizens are being affected by insecurity in various parts of Ethiopia and attacks on innocent people.
Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit, said the Diaspora has suggested ways to mobilize support for the needy and those in need. She said the Agency has started a project to mobilize support and has so far provided more than 431 million birr in cash and in kind, according to the report filed by the Agency.
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
The Ethiopian Herald may 11/2021
