It has been long time since Ethiopians start to leave their home land and migrate to various countries due to political, economic and social reasons. Ethiopia has been also known as the destination country for Jew, Armenians, Arabs, Greeks, Turkish, etc. migrants.
Documents indicate that during the emperor’s time and following the expansion of modern education in the country, Ethiopians used to come back and serve their country after they completed their education in Europe and North America.
At present, over 2.5 million Ethiopians live outside of their country, particularly in North America, Europe and the Middle East, the Netherlands being one of the destination countries among others. There are 16,347 Ethiopians in the Netherlands according to the Dutch Central Statistics Agency.
In order to reply inquire related to the Diaspora, the Government of Ethiopia launched its official Diaspora policy in 2013. One of the core components is to promote Diaspora engagement in investment: “Any member of Ethiopian Diaspora residing abroad will be promoted to participate directly or through collaborations with domestic investors on pertinent areas of investment appropriately identified.”
The incumbent is implementing various interventions towards ensuring effective implementation of the policy and boosting the participation of Ethiopians in the development activities of the country.
Ethiopia launched a Diaspora Agency to engage Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin in meaningful participation in the development of their country. Since its inception, the Agency has been mobilizing Ethiopian residing abroad so as to ensure overall development endeavors. Let us mention recent participation of the Diaspora citing recent evidence.
Ethiopians living in Switzerland and Austria have contributed more than 1.5 million birr on Sunday to respond for the nations call in a fundraising programme organized in collaboration with the FDRE Mission in Geneva.
The Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Geneva, Ambassador Zenebe Kebede, thanked the Ethiopians who facilitated the forum and participated in the programme stay for two weeks. He also thanked Ethiopians living in Switzerland and Austria for the response to national calls and projects and called on them to continue their support. The guest of honor and State Minister Defense of Ethiopia, Martha Luigi, said the government is working to create the necessary infrastructure to ensure the success of the campaign. Encouraged by the support of the army, she expressed her hope that victory would be achieved and the time to announce a general victory is approaching.
Recalling that Ethiopia is being a country that has maintained its existence despite many challenges in its history, said Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit. She adding that the Diaspora is doing a good job in terms of public diplomacy and fundraising over the past few years. She added that in the first round, the Diaspora contributed more than 41 million Birr in cash and kind following the incursion of the terrorist group.
Ethiopians participating in the forum said they understand that Ethiopia expects a lot from its children at times of such an intricate situation which required the Diaspora to be ready to bestow whatever they can. In connection with this, they have been able to raise more than 30,000 Swiss francs or more than 1.5 million Birr in today’s forum alone, he said.
Ethiopians living in Colorado; USA collected 100,000 USD in support of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian descent have collected the money conducting various fundraising programs and have deposited the money in a bank account opened for this purpose.
The Ethiopians Diaspora in Colorado state pledge to strengthen their support until the dam is fully operational, according to the information we get from the Colorado Ethiopian Community Nile Dam Support Coordinating Committee.
Likewise, Ethiopians living in and around Brussels discuss on the current national issues, collected over 800,000 Birr for defense forces and victims of the war. Ethiopians living in Brussels and its environs have contributed more than 800,000 birr in order to assist the Defense Forces and the people displaced due to the war in northern Ethiopia.
The Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Belgium and the European Union, Hirut Zemene, conveyed a warm welcome to the participants and thanked Ethiopians living in Belgium and those of Ethiopians for their support and participation in the forum.
Appreciating the participation of locals in joining the army, The Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, Selamawit Dawit also you showed us you are dedicated children of Ethiopia. Indicating that the diaspora in Belgium have amassed three billion birr , she called on them to continue its public diplomacy and fundraising activities.
Participants of the forum said; “We are always ready to support our country’s survival campaign and pledged to provide permanent support in addition to the 14,500 Euros and 500 US dollars or more than 800,000 Birr collected.
She added that in addition to the support provided by the Diaspora, it should be decided to contribute to the growth of the country’s foreign exchange by sending the money home only legally according to the information which was provided by the Colorado Ethiopian Community Nile Dam Support Coordinating Committee.
Similarly, 1,088,000 Birr has already collected in order to assist the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the affected people at the fundraising event organized by Nuremberg.
In the event organized by the Ethiopian Community Association in Nuremberg, Ethiopian residing there has contributed 1,088,000 Birr for the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Ethiopians who internally displaced due to various reasons.
The fundraising event was attended by the Special Envoy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Germany and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Germany to Ethiopia.
During the event, Ethiopians elected a coordinating committee to establish a Diaspora Advisory Council and pledged to work with their country to ensure Ethiopia’s future.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SEPTEMBER 7/ 2021
