BY STAFF REPORTER
Reconstructing and restoring conflict-wrecked essential infrastructures and rehabilitating communities residing in the affected areas have continued unwaveringly.
The government has been striving to address the challenges on the double – reconstruct damage infrastructures, restore basic services, rehabilitate communities and return the areas to their former states. As a result, a number of encouraging outcomes are seen though a lot remains to be done owing to the scope and severity of the problem.
In fact, even if the government has taken the lion’s share, partners, Ethiopians living at home and abroad as well as Ethiopia’s friends have also contributed significantly in terms of supporting the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
Recently, members of the Global Ethiopian Diaspora Action Group (GEDAG) – Virginia-USA, based humanitarian organization- donated medical equipment worth 442 million Birr to the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse said that Ethiopia has succeeded in overcoming the challenges it faced over the past two years through the support of the Diaspora, according to a report from local media. The Minister, thanking the Diaspora community for the unreserved commitment they exerted, called them to further strengthen their support. Group’s President Endalkachew Zewde said on his part said that the Organization is fulfilling its responsibility.
Mentioning that members of the Group made a tour to various areas and visited displaced citizens, the President expressed organization’s readiness to permanently extend the needed assistance until the problem is resolved.
According to him, the Diaspora group is always ready to support the country by providing financial and other support. “We should not always count what we have done once, because we should do it until the Ethiopian problem is beaten,” the President underlined.
He also urged the Diaspora community to strengthen their support and actively participate in the rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. GEDAG Director Alemayehu Abebe on his part said that the Group has been providing support for communities residing in war-torn areas.
“What we want to convey to our brothers and sisters is that our organization is nonpolitical, non-partisan and non-religious institution. Our goal is to help people who are in dire need of help. We are here to support the country. Governments come and go, but we have to help our people. We have seen with our own eyes that hospitals and schools were destroyed owing to the war. In the next five years, our project will continue helping other destroyed schools and hospitals in the best possible way,” he remarked Zeni Jabessa, a member of the Group, stated that the purposes of the group are many; however they have prioritized the unmet basic needs.
According to her, after winning the challenges facing the country these days owing to the conflict and addressed the need of the people in war affected areas, members of the group aspire to facilitate and ensure access to schools, healthcare services, clean water and sanitation to those people who do not have these and other related basic services.
Members of the Group further mentioned that the Ethiopian Diasporas from all over the world would like to contact the Group and work with them. As to them, if they work together, they can change Ethiopia with many other things.
Korso Koji, another member of the Group, said that the Diasporas are doing great work. However, if all the Diaspora community unite and work together, they can do more than this. In the last four years, many infrastructures have been destroyed, people have died, Korso said, adding that there are many problems that the Diaspora community collaborate and to solve together. He also pointed out that the Ethiopians in the Diaspora must do a great job in rebuilding the country.
“The Diasporas have greater role to play in country’s overall growth. There are various projects for them to engage in, especially in investment. There are industries that they can take part and bring about substantial change. Thus, we have to promote the areas through different media so that they can come and participate,” he stated. GEDAG is a global non-profit organization that supports good causes and positive change all over the world.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2023
