ADDIS ABABA – Countries and international organizations have extended condolences and support on the life loss induced by landslide occurred in southern Ethiopia, as the country is in a three-day national mourning.
Following the occurrence of a landslide in Gofa Zone of South Ethiopia state that took the life of over 200 people, the country is mourning the death of citizens for three days since Saturday. Accordingly, international organizations and countries are extending condolences and pledging support in rescuing and rehabilitating works.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed that he is deeply saddened by the loss of more than 200 lives in the south of Ethiopia following landslides triggered by heavy rains. He extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Ethiopia.
He posted on X that the UN and its partners are working closely with the government, evaluating the humanitarian situation to determine the extent of the damage and assess the humanitarian needs of the affected population. UN agencies are dispatching food, nutrition, health and other critical supplies to help people affected by the landslides.
“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of more than 200 lives in the south of Ethiopia following landslides triggered by heavy rains. UN agencies are dispatching food, nutrition, health and other critical supplies to help affected people,” he wrote in a message posted on X on 25 July 2024.
Meanwhile the African Union through the chairperson of its commission expressed condolences and support rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the more than 231 community members who tragically lost their lives in devastating landslides following heavy rains in southern Ethiopia’s Gofa district. We stand in strong solidarity with the people and Government of Ethiopia as rescue efforts continue to find the missing and assist the displaced,” AU’s Commission Chairperson Moussa FakiMahamat posted on X on Jul 23, 2024.
Similarly, the European Union (EU) has also expressed sadness on the life lost because of the natural disaster and pledged support victim families. In a recent bilateral meeting withPlanning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa, EU International Partnership (INTPA) Director for Sustainable Finance Antti Karhunen, expressed readiness to help Ethiopia rescuing missed ones and rehabilitating displaced citizens because of the incident.
The director has expressed her sorrow over the recent loss of life in the landslide that occurred in Gofa Zone.The European Union is ready to offer financial assistance and has been coordinating with the committee established by the Federal Disaster Management Commission, she said.
Meanwhile, China has expressed sadness to the human and material loss caused by the landslide and promised support to Ethiopia. In a regular press conference held on 24 July 2024, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that the massive mudslide in Ethiopia have resulted in grave deaths and injuries and property loss so that China extends its sincere sympathies over the disaster and deep condolences for the victims.
As an all-weather strategic partners, China and Ethiopia always support each other in trying times and share weal and woe together, she said, adding that China stands ready to do what it can to assist the rescue and reconstruction in light of Ethiopia’s needs.
Russia also expressed sympathy and support to Ethiopia regarding the natural disaster. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended deep condolences to Ethiopians over the tragic consequences of landslides in southern part of the country.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 28 JULY 2024
