Diplomatic roundtable reiterated commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s humanitarian efforts

Addis Ababa, March 28, 2024 (FBC) – A crucial diplomatic roundtable was convened on Thursday at the EU Mission to Ethiopia, bringing together a spectrum of stakeholders to assess the humanitarian assistance situation in Ethiopia.

The primary objective of the gathering was to mobilize collaborative efforts aimed at supporting locally driven initiatives to support the government’s efforts in addressing the issue and facilitate long-term recovery, notably in Northern Ethiopia.

Key figures from the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) underscored the urgent need for financial support, highlighting a fundraising target of 200 million Swiss francs. This funding is earmarked to assist 2.6 million individuals across the northern regions of Afar, Tigray, and Amhara.

Mr. Abera Tola, President of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, emphasized the ERCS’s commitment to becoming a community-based movement, leveraging its extensive network of offices and volunteers to reach every corner of Ethiopia, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Getachew Ta’a, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, shed light on the current humanitarian aid needs and related issues.

He emphasized the need for sustained support to respond to the humanitarian aid demand and pave the way for long-term recovery and resilience.

Ms. Kate Forbes, President of IFRC, underscored the interconnected nature of global challenges and the imperative for bold political solutions to complement humanitarian efforts.

She called for a paradigm shift towards proactive and preventative approaches, alongside a concerted focus on addressing root causes of vulnerability and conflict.

Ambassador Dr. Shiferaw Teklemariam, Commissioner for the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, emphasized the importance of localization in humanitarian response and urged greater coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to optimize resources and enhance community engagement.

Participants from various diplomatic corps, UN agencies, international organizations, and movement partners reiterated their commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s humanitarian efforts and emphasized the need for holistic, multi-faceted solutions to address the complex challenges.

The diplomatic roundtable is said to have served as a platform for robust dialogue and collaboration, reaffirming the collective resolve to response to humanitarian assistance in Northern Ethiopia and work towards sustainable solutions for the region’s long-term prosperity.