Timely, unearmarked funding critical to curb impacts of climate change – Envoy

Addis Ababa, June 22, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian delegation is participating at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment which is taking place from June 20-23, 2023 in Geneva.

During the meeting, Tsegab Kebebew, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Office at Geneva and other International organizations in Switzerland, made a statement highlighting the impact of climate change in the Horn of Africa.

He said that after six consecutive years of below-average rains, the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa is expanding and deepening.

The envoy underscored that Ethiopia is among the worst affected countries in the Horn of Africa and that the communities there have faced a cascade of repeated shocks that have diminished their ability to recover from them.

Enhancing the resilience of affected countries’ food systems is critical to bolster their ability to achieve food security, Amb. Tsegab mentioned.

He also underlined the urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance such as food, water, health care, shelter, and livestock related assistance, noting that as of June 5, only 23.6% of the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to Ethiopia is funded.

He called upon partners to provide efficient, timely and unearmarked funding to save millions of lives.

In his statement, Ambassador Tsegab further emphasized the importance of development support while providing humanitarian assistance. He said that striking a balance in relief and development endeavours is important.

He expressed the commitment of Ethiopia to providing principled and coordinated humanitarian assistance to those who need it throughout the country, as per Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva.