- Provides 54 vehicles for stakeholders in targeted areas
ADDIS ABABA- The World Bank Group (WBG) has granted 180 million USD for the implementation of the second phase of the Ethiopian Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP 2022- 2027).
Speaking at the occasion, DRDIP National Coordinator NigatuBogalesaid that the second phase project directly benefited over 2,504,952 members of the community, of which 745,438 are refuges, while 1,759,514 host community members. The project is being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to Nigatu, the project would be implemented in Gambella, Somali, BenshangulGumuz, Afar, Amhara and Tigray states embracing 30 districts, 330 kebeles and 25 refugee camps. The WBG has also provided 54 field vehicles for stakeholders in the targeted areas.
“The major objective of the project is improving access to basic social and economic services, expanding livelihood opportunities, and enhancing environmental management for host and refugee communities in the targeted areas.”
The project said to cover areas that are in 20 km radius of the refugee camp, while areas that are located in 35 km radius in the new refuge sites are also to be incorporated.
The coordinator further highlighted that the project is improving access to social services and economic infrastructure for 602 community and strategic investment subprojects.
The first phase of the Ethiopian Development Response to Displacements Impacts Project (2016-2022) was implemented in five states, 16 districts and 117 kebeles with 100 million USD allocation.
The six-year project has pioneered a government-led development response to forced displacements in the Horn of Africa and has contributed to reducing the impacts of refugees on hosting communities.
Besides enhancing the accessibility of the institution’s socio-economic benefit, increasing employment opportunities as well as ensuring water and soil conservation, the first project benefitted around 1.3 million communities, the coordinator remarked.
Agriculture Minister Girma Amente (PhD) said that the grant would play significant role to bring the expected results in the farming sector.
The Minister pointed out the purchasing of over 265 motor bicycles that are on the way to enter to the country.
The motor bicycles are said to be distributed to kebeles and districts in the targeted area.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
The Ethiopian Herald May 1/2024
