Ethiopia Has sufficient Stocks, Arrangements to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to Those in Need: Commissioner Shiferaw

Addis Ababa December 23/2024 (ENA)— ​​​​​​Ethiopia has  necessary stocks and arrangements to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam disclosed.

Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC) Commissioner, Shiferaw also stated that those who have engaged in disrupting the government's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance with the hope of gaining an advantage, should refrain from their evil schemes.

Approached by ENA, the commissioner revealed that the Ethiopian government is pursuing a sound national policy and strategy to deal with natural and man-made disasters in the country.

 For instance, he pointed out that concrete measures are being carried out to rehabilitate victims sustainably in addition to providing humanitarian support to ensure the country’s food security and food sovereignty.

Shiferaw further explained that special attention has been paid to strengthening a system where the community can support each other to cope with natural and man-made disasters as well as to reach out those in need of support.

Besides, the commissioner elaborated that concerted efforts have been undertaken to create a national capacity that would enable the country to provide sustainable access to humanitarian assistance by creating adequate stocks.

He figured out that since the last Ethiopian rainy season, the country has embarked on cultivating 253,000 hectares of land and 2 million metric tons or 20 million quintals of agricultural production in the 2017/2018 harvest season. Accordingly, efforts are being made to create a reserve.

 According to him, 108,000 hectares of land have been cultivated so far, which covers 43 percent of the plan.

As a result, Shiferaw noted that the plan is being implemented and a nationwide reserve is being created, giving priority to the federal and regional levels.

Speaking on immediate humanitarian assistance, the commissioner indicated that activities are underway in all areas to identify and provide access to those in need of priority assistance based on research.

He also mentioned that two studies were conducted a month ago in Bugna Woreda, North Wollo Zone of Amhara region, which assessed the situation at household level and overall vulnerability.

In this respect, Commissioner Shiferaw recalled that there was no major problem at the time, but he said that gaps related to food security had been identified in some pockets of the district.

Moreover, the commissioner stated that the security situation in the area has created obstacles to accessing humanitarian aid.

 However, he said that those who are using the issue for political gain and improper purposes don’t have any connection with humanitarian aid.

He said that the government is working diligently to address the problem and it has reached an agreement with religious leaders and elders to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches only those who need it.

He also urged those actors who act in the hope of gaining benefits by disrupting the government's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to refrain from their evil deeds.

The commissioner further elaborated that the government is working in coordination with various stakeholders  at all  levels to provide humanitarian assistance.

He disclosed that the government has sufficient stocks and arrangements to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and it has been jointly working in consultation with development partners.

 He said that by ensuring food sovereignty, it is necessary to strengthen the efforts that have been started to shift from food assistance to building resilience.