BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The conflict in the northern part of the country has displaced several people from their village, damaged infrastructures and caused visible and invisible scars on the mind of people; especially, those living in the war-torn areas and witnessed the devastating impacts of the war.
However, following the peace agreement signed between the government and TPLF to end the war, extensive rehabilitating and restoring activities are ongoing. The Ethiopian Government, joining hands with pertinent stakeholders, is working persistently to restore war-scarred areas and support people who were affected by the war. As a result, since the agreement was signed, massive activities have been carried out and remarkable achievements witnessed.
Hand in hand providing humanitarian assistance, the activities of restoring infrastructures and public facilities; resuming basic services, as well as the construction and rehabilitation works of centers to displaced people are carried out.
As part of these activities, the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs has recently repaired and inaugurated a temporary rehabilitation center in Afar, Semera town, one of the areas affected by the conflicts.
The rehabilitation center, which once had been providing services in Afar- Semera Town- is now repaired by government’s budget and inaugurated recently in the presence of senior government officials, as Women and Social Affairs Ministry stated.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Women and Social Affairs, Women and Children Sector State Minister, Alemitu Umod, said that the challenges which the nation faced should be alleviated by the coordinated efforts of the government and non-government organizations, individual investors and partners.
According to the State Minister, the rehabilitation center was once used as a temporary rehabilitation midpoint for people displaced from various areas due to the conflict. However, because it got damaged, it is repaired by the financial support gained from the government. It will continue providing temporary services to those communities affected by the war, she reiterated.
Mentioning that the center is much helpful to provide the required services for conflict affected women and children in the State, the State Minister urged international partners to exert similar efforts to help victims who have experienced the undesirable effects of the war in northern parts of the country
Afar State’s Women and Social Affairs Bureau Head Aisha Yasin on her part said that, while the construction activity of the rehabilitation center was finalized and readied to be inaugurated, the war broke out; and it had been used to provide service to those brothers and sisters who came from Tigray State. For that reason, it could not provide the expected services. However, due to the support from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Center is repaired and is now providing service.
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs for restoring the Center, Aisha urged stakeholders and concerned bodies to extend their hands and support the Center in the future.
On the consultative forum held on the occasion, a study that focuses on areas that were affected by the war, and activities that carried out so far, especially to support women, as well as challenges and ways to overcome and supports that are needed to help victims were presented.
At the forum, the importance of a strong coalition and joint plan to help the Center play a substantial role and enable it to provide appropriate services through equipping it with the necessary inputs and strengthening it was highlighted.
It was also said that in order for the center to function properly, a technical committee that embraces organizations especially working focusing on the prevention and response to violence against women should be organized and, a coordinated plan should be prepared.
Stakeholders have also reached a mutual agreement on the event stating that they are expected to work in coordination to avoid duplication of works.
In her conclusion remark, Alemitu Umod pointed out that the damages and the works being carried out are not still proportional. In this regard, there is a need for joint efforts by all partners and it is the right time for everyone to discharge responsibilities.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 31 JANUARY 2023
