Afar region president meets with USAID Ethiopia Mission Director

Addis Ababa, August 24, 2023 (FBC) – Awol Arba, President of Afar Regional State, met with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ethiopia’s new Mission Director, Scott Hocklander, the U.S Embassy in Addis Ababa in a press note sent to Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

It is stated that President Awol Arba and Director Hocklander discussed the long-standing partnership between the United States and the people in the Afar Region and across Ethiopia.

During their meeting, Director Hocklander emphasized USAID’s commitment to assisting the region to combat climate and other natural shocks, enhance agricultural production, deliver quality public health services, and improve access to safe water supplies and basic sanitation.

The USAID Director also met with regional elders to listen to how local leaders envision the region’s path towards and opportunities for resilient development and what they see as USAID/Ethiopia’s role in supporting that vision.

He discussed the recent desert locust infestation and response efforts with the regional coordinator of the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In Dubti, Director Hocklander visited a local livestock business, which is receiving ongoing support through the USAID Resilience in Pastoral Areas project.

In 2022 alone, USAID/Ethiopia invested more than $1.8 billion across the country in humanitarian and development aid, according to the U.S Embassy.