UNOCHA reaffirms continued support to Ethiopia in addressing humanitarian needs

Addis Ababa, February 9, 2024 (FBC) – The the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reiterated that it will continue supporting Ethiopia’s strides in addressing humanitarian needs within the country, according the Ministry of Finance.

This story was disclosed by the Ministry after the discussion between the State Minister of Finance, Ms. Semereta Sewasew, and Mr. Paul Handley, Head of the UNOCHA Country Office for Ethiopia, regarding the humanitarian situation and development priorities in Ethiopia as well as the way forward in mobilizing resources for conflict and climate change-affected populations in the country.

The state minister, expressing her appreciation for the enormous contribution of OCHA in terms of humanitarian support for conflict-affected communities, reiterated that the current global climatic events have also been posing multiple negative effects in these regions and other parts of the country leading to severe water shortages, dried pastures, and reduced harvest.

Mr. Paul Handley reaffirmed the commitments of OCHA to support the government of Ethiopia in its effort to mobilize additional resources to address the current humanitarian needs for conflict and climate change-affected communities in the country. He also underlined the need to strengthen the food aid and cash transfer mechanisms to channel resources to the needy population efficiently and effectively.

As the way forward, it was highlighted the need to bring together all development and humanitarian actors working in the country to avoid fragmentations and duplication of efforts to effectively support the conflict and climate change-affected communities in addressing their current needs in terms of food aid, healthcare services, water and sanitation, education, jobs creation and ultimately ensure sustainable livelihood and address the needs of internally displaced people. It was also underlined that crisis response activities should be aligned with sustainable development endeavors to assist communities in strengthening their capacities and resilience building.