ADDIS ABABA– Nearly 2.2 million Internally Displaced People (IDP) have been returned to their homes, said Ethiopian National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC).
Debebe Zewudu, Commission of Public Relations and Communications Director told The Ethiopian Herald that the commission has been working closely with concerned bodies to facilitate the return of IDPs to their home.
So far, he said, 2.2 million Internally Displaced People have been returned to their homes. The exact number will be announced soon after all the data are collected. He also added Oromia State has been playing a key role in facilitating the return of the displaced from the state by allocating 47 million Birr to build houses and supply food. Similar activities have been undertaken in other states as well which gives a sense of optimism that all IDPs across the country will return to their homes in the near future.
Most regional and local administrations have been working to ensure rule of law and safeguard human and democratic rights without discrimination, he said. But, he said, as it requires a large amount of finance and changing wrong perceptions, returning all IDPs to their homes might take some time.
Additionally, four teams have been working on the issues of internally displaced peoples, particularly in collecting useful information. He also acknowledged the fact that the displacement of people has pressurized the national economy and challenging the reform process.
The Ethiopian Herald, August 8/2019
BY MULATU BELACHEW
