Diaspora engagement in ‘Clean Ethiopia’ initiative boosts public health – Prof. Alemayehu

Addis Ababa, April 28, 2024 (FBC) – The “Clean Streets – Healthy Lives” campaign offers all Ethiopians, members of the Ethiopian diaspora, friends of Ethiopia, and others the opportunity to make individual contributions and play a pivotal role in enhancing public sanitation services and promoting overall public health in Ethiopia, Professor Alemayehu Gebremariam of California State University said.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) unveiled the initiative on Friday and called on all Ethiopians to contribute their share in creating cities that are conducive for everyone.

In a lengthy message published on his X page with the title of “𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 – 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 “𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬”, Prof. Alemayehu has expressed his readiness to support Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ‘Clean Ethiopia’ initiative, emphasizing the importance of collective action in achieving the goals of this significant national endeavor.

“I am proud to accept and act to implement PM Abiy Ahmed’s “Clean Streets – Healthy Lives” call/campaign throughout Ethiopia. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 — 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞  𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚,” he noted.

Prof. Alemayehu stated that lack of sanitation facilities present a clear and immediate threat to public health.

He emphasized the necessity for comprehensive measures to address the public health issue and called upon the Ethiopian diaspora to actively engage in efforts to support their country in this matter. Pointing out sanitation as the underlying cause of the health issue, the renowned Ethiopian professor stressed that resolving sanitation issues is fundamental to tackling broader health challenges.

“The “Clean Streets – Healthy Lives” campaign gives every Ethiopian, diaspora Ethiopian and friends of Ethiopia and others an opportunity to make an individual contribution and play a central role in the improvement of public sanitation services and overall preservation of public health in Ethiopia.”

“Clean Streets – Healthy Lives” is a public health project that belongs to the PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA. But it is also a project that must be owned individually, he added.

Earlier today, the Office of the Prime Minister announced the launch of a digital telethon for “Clean Ethiopia” initiative. In that regard, Ethiopians, including senior government officials are joining the “Clean Streets – Healthy Lives” movement by contributing into the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia account 1000623230248.