Every year, Ethiopia is undertaking various volunteer activities targeting to tackle social problems, promote a sense of national unity and deepen national integrity, as well as to contribute to sustainable peace and stability within the country.
The country, by engaging young people in various areas including humanitarian activities, infrastructure development, education and healthcare services among others, and assigning them in different parts of the country, is working to promote the act of volunteerism.
As part of this initiative, especially, during the annual rainy season, millions of Ethiopian young people have been taking part in various constructive activities. As a result, they are contributing meaningfully to the country’s socioeconomic development aside from reducing the burden of the community.
This success was also reflected at the Addis Weg Discussion Forum organized by the Press Secretariat of the Prime Minister’s Office last Saturday under the theme “Rainy season hard work, year’s development,” and discussing issues focusing on volunteering, Yelemat Tirufat, and the Green Legacy Initiative.
As it was stated at the forum, in this Ethiopian rainy season, more than 20 million young people have taken part in the annual volunteering program and provided a number of services for the community. According to the Head of Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Minister Alemtsehay Paulos, the works carried out by volunteers in all areas at the national level, have laid the foundation for the coming season and have shown the perseverance and the commitment of the people.
According to her, in the last four years, a number of voluntary activities that have significant benefits to the elderly and vulnerable segments of the society have been carried out through coordinating the people. The Green Legacy program, renovation of houses of the disadvantaged people, donation of blood, other health and social services were areas that volunteers have been engaged in widely. This has also enabled to further strengthen solidarity and togetherness among the citizens.
Stating that, voluntary service is an act that demonstrates Ethiopians’ commitment and capability to realize mega development plans by cooperating with each other, she mentioned the success of planting more than 500 million saplings in 12 hours throughout the country in this regard. Further, the works that are being carried out by involving the community are helping in further strengthening the sentiment of Ethiopianism and developing the value of brotherhood, she reiterated.
Equally important, “Yelemat Tirufat” – a development campaign that was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and focusing on having adequate nutritional food on the table, has become the activity of every family, she said. Technic Committee Coordinator of the national Green Legacy Initiative, Adefres Worku (PhD) on his part said that, half of Ethiopia’s land mass has faced different types of land degradation.
As various studies indicate in Ethiopia, on average 92 thousand hectares of forests are cut down every year. As a result of soil erosion that comes to happen due to this act and decreases of product and productivity, Ethiopia will lose close to 4.3 billion USD. However, to halt the challenge and restore degraded lands, the country has launched the Green Legacy Initiative at national level, he added.
“In this regard, the Green Legacy Initiative” has opened a new chapter in forest development and become our initial point that would enable us to respond to our common demands of increasing product and productivity, ensuring sustainable development goals, job creation and forest coverage together. The program has shown Ethiopians’ potential in executing activities effectively.”
REDD+ Program Coordinator Yitebitu Moges (PhD) on his part said that, the Green Legacy program has transformed Ethiopia’s forestry development path. Particularly, the active involvement of senior government officials in the program has made it more effective.
Midroc Investment Group CEO Jemal Ahmed on his part said that, a country can sustain when its people work together, and the government and the private sector join hands. For the reason that investors have to take part in nation building and create wealth that will last for the generation, the Investment Group is working committedly. “Social responsibility should be implemented under a structured system; and Ahmed on his part said that, a country can sustain when its people work together, and the government and the private sector join hands.
For the reason that investors have to take part in nation building and create wealth that will last for the generation, the Investment Group is working committedly. “Social responsibility should be implemented under a structured system; and not only as an act of benevolence.“Nation building is not the responsibility left for the government alone,” he underlined.
While talking about the activities carried out in his school premises in relation to Yelemat Tirufat, Dejazmach Wondirad Primary School Principal Solomon Kebe said that the school, in its available spaces, is implementing the Yelemat Tirufat program. This, in turn, is replacing the agricultural products that used to be purchased from the market in students’ feeding programs in the school.
What is more, it has become a practical training for students; and it is helping to develop the culture of work among students. He also remarked that the school is expanding the urban agriculture practice to the nearby community, according to the PMO report. Meanwhile, Addis Weg Forum Panelists told ENA that rainy season voluntary services have offered lessons that Ethiopia can be transformed in a short period.
According to the participants of the forum, the voluntary services, which have been carried out in the rainy seasons, have given lessons that Ethiopia can develop and be transformed within a short period of time by coordinating its people. During the past four rainy seasons, voluntary services that benefitted many elderly citizens have been carried out.
The number of youth, who take part in voluntary services, is increasing from time to time. Women and Social Affairs State Minister, Muna Ahmed on her part highlighted the incalculable role of youths in accelerating the country’s development efforts. In this rainy season alone, more than 20 million young people are participating in voluntary services nationwide, she added.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 22 AUGUST 2023
