BY TEWODROS KASSA
The two years conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia has led hundreds of thousands of citizens in the area to various challenges including displacement, need for humanitarian assistance and other psycho-social traumas.
In addition, different infrastructural facilities have been demolished due to the conflict. Following this, the government and pertinent stakeholders have been working actively to address the challenges of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and reconstruct the damaged infrastructures.
Subsequent to the efforts, a number of health and educational institutions have been restored; and started providing services; and humanitarian assistance is delivered accordingly to those people who have been affected by the conflict.
According to recent reports, the Government of Ethiopia and partner organizations have succeeded in providing 95 percent of the total demand for food in the three conflict-affected regions during the past 30 days, according to the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC).
Of late, the Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam told local media that over 134,948 metric tons of food supplies have been distributed to the war affected areas.
As the government of Ethiopia has been consistent with its policy in ensuring sustainable peace and resolving issues in civilized ways, it has provided and enhanced humanitarian aid in line with the Pretoria’s, South Africa, peace agreement.
The Commissioner revealed that the number of people who need emergency food assistance in the areas affected by the war in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar is about 8.4 million. Of these, some 7.9 million people have received emergency food assistance.
Accordingly, the Government of Ethiopia is very concerned about citizens that require humanitarian aid and other basic services. As a result, it is responding vigorously and ensuring unfettered access in all areas.
“Following the peace agreement, full comprehensive support has been initiated by the Federal Government of Ethiopia as a first entry and subsequently by humanitarian partners.”
In addition to emergency food assistance, the Commissioner stated that 3,239 metric tons of nutritious food was provided by the government and humanitarian partners to 71,978 vulnerable members of the community in the past month.
Communication and Public Relations Director of the NDRMC, Debebe Zewede told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the provision of unrestricted supply to citizens affected by conflict in northern Ethiopia has been accelerating. Since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA),
Commission over 40,063 metric tons of food and non-food items have been transported within 1,017 vehicles. Some 839.76 metric tons of medical supplies within 25 trucks have been transported and 10 convoys loaded with 413,552 liters of fuel dispatched to the areas, he said.
Stressing that some 16 partners have been involved in the operation of humanitarian supplies, the Director said that over 4,254 metric tons of non-food items have been distributed within 115 vehicles to the conflict-affected citizens.
From October 30 to November 29, 2022, 1,169 heavy trucks were deployed to the areas by partners to accelerate humanitarian distribution via three corridors (Afar-Abala, Gondar-Shire and Kombolcha-Kobo-Alamata routes).
The support has been given for partners to transport over 148.7 million Birr in cash via Mekelle and Shire airport to facilitate humanitarian supply activities in Tigray State. Some, 168 heavy conveys deployed by various 16 partners to facilitate humanitarian supply operation, he indicated.
Not only the Tigray people, the Afar and Amhara residents are also hugely affected by the conflict. Thus, the government, local and international development partners are working together to rehabilitate the areas.
With regard to infrastructure development, recently, the Ethiopian Roads Authority announced that more than six bridges that are found in Amhara, Afar, and Tigray states, have been rebuild. The bridges were out of service due to the conflict in the northern part of the country had caused socio-economic challenges to the surrounding community.
Lack of transportation from one place to the other was the significant problems among the society during the past two years of conflict. But nowadays, the government’s commitment to rebuild the areas is registering a tangible fruits in the speedy recovery of the socio-economic activities of the people in war affected areas.
Authority’s Bridges and Structural Works Directorate Director Getnet Zeleke told the Ethiopian Press Agency that more than 175 million Birr has been allocated to accomplish the bridges reconstruction process and they are now open for traffic. As to him, the bridges reconstruction process is accomplished within a short period of time considering the dire need of the society.
Furthermore, the Authority will conduct other bridges and roads reconstruction as soon as a report is delivered. Meanwhile, The FDRE Government Communication Service Minister, Legesse Tulu, stated the activities carried out by the Ethiopian Government following the peace agreement. As to him, the government is working with full commitment for the successful implementation of the peace agreement; and to address the challenges of people in war affected areas.
The Minister told local media that as per the Pretoria and Nairobi Peace Agreement, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have started taking over heavy weapons from the TPLF militants. He stated that the beginning of TPLF’s handing over of heavy weapons to ENDF indicates the promising progress on implementation process of the peace agreement.
As to the Minister, the federal government is now working with full determination to the successful conclusion of the peace accord. Various activities also witnessed that everyone is pleased with the two sides initiatives and commitment towards sustainably rehabilitate the areas.
Thus, the effective implementation of the peace accord is bringing a tangible impact on the ground to realize sustainable peace and stability and ensure citizens safety through disarming militants and enable them to focus on the reconstruction process.
The Ethiopian Herald January 15/2023
