News: #Orthodox Synod declares faithful to wear black for Fast of Nineveh to protest against “illegal group”

The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) in #AddisAbeba has declared the faithful to observe the upcoming three days of Fast of Nineveh which will be observed from Monday 06 to Wednesday 08 February, by wearing black to protest against what it said is a government supported coup attempt to overthrow the Holy Synod by the “illegal group.”

Regardless of the continued protest by the Holy Synod in Addis Abeba, however, the breakaway archbishops have continued dispatching their 25 nominee episcopate to different dioceses in Oromia regional state. Reports indicate that Abune Paulus, the newly nominated episcopate by the breakaway Archbishops for the West Arsi diocese, will be traveling to the city of #Shashemene over the weekend.

https://addisstandard.com/news-orthodox-synod-declares-faithful-to-wear-black-for-fast-of-nineveh-to-protest-against-illegal-group/

News: Ministry to rebuild more than 70 war-damaged schools in #Amhara and #Afar regions

Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that it will rebuild 71 standard schools using financial support from World Bank (WB), Menschen für Menschen charity organization and the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (DTF) in the Amhara and Afar regions, which were demolished during the bloody war that lasted for nearly two years between Tigrayan forces and the federal government.

The ministry said that, 50 of the schools will be built with the support and cooperation of the WB, whereas the 16 of them will be built by the Menschen für Menschen organization while the other five will be built by the DTF.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ministry-to-rebuild-more-than-70-war-damaged-schools-in-amhara-and-afar-regions/

#Ethiopia: Northern aid access improving but some areas still hard to reach

Humanitarians say that fighting in parts of southern #Amhara and neighbouring areas of #Oromia region, have led to “significant displacement” in the zones of North #Shewa, South #Wello and West #Gojam, in Amhara.

OCHA reports that in those regions of Amhara, “a significant number of houses and private properties have allegedly been burned down and destroyed. Partners are mobilizing food and non-food items such as emergency shelter, amidst road closure and ongoing hostilities.”

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133112

#Ethiopia: Coffee connects #Ethiopian refugees to home

Freweyni Tadese is keeping Ethiopia’s coffee traditions alive and earning a living through her coffee shop in #Sudan’s #Tunaydbah refugee camp.

The smoky aroma of coffee permeates the air as Freweyni Tadese, 48, roasts beans over a charcoal stove. With a wooden pestle and mortar, she then grinds the darkened beans into a fine ground which she carefully pours into a #Jebena, a traditional clay coffee-pot she carried with her when she fled Ethiopia’s #Tigray region.

“Back at home, coffee is highly regarded and we grow it ourselves. We all have it in our homes,” says Freweyni, adding that every cup reminds her of home.

Soon, the coffee pot sizzles and Freweyni pours the dark liquid from a height into traditional handleless mugs without stopping until all the cups are filled. Her traditional methods of coffee-making have been passed down through generations.

https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2023/2/63db826d4/coffee-connects-ethiopian-refugees-home.html

Analysis: Amid growing concerns on delayed, inadequate services restoration, Premier meets #Tigrayan negotiating team, promises to speed up process

According to the official dispatch on the meeting, the two sides discussed the progress of the implementation of the peace deal for two days.

The unexpected meeting happened amid growing concerns about delayed and inadequate basic services restoration in the Tigray region, including banking, road transport and telecommunications. Although some progresses have been seen in the resumption of air travel, opening up of banking services and restoration of telecommunication in the Tigray region, which has been under a “de facto blockade” for two years, the progress has been slow, and the resumed services remain inadequate as opposed to the massive needs.

Even in the area of humanitarian aid, where a significant progress has been achieved since the peace deal was struck, the UN said on 02 February that “some pockets remained that have not yet been accessed” in the delivery of aid, which stands at “more than 127,000 tons of food… reaching more than 3.8 million people.”

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-amid-growing-concerns-on-delayed-inadequate-services-restoration-premier-meets-tigrayan-negotiating-team-promises-to-speed-up-process/

#Israeli mission saves sick newborns in #Ethiopia

Sheba Medical Center led a four-day humanitarian mission in #BahirDar, in #Amhara region of Ethiopia, to improve the country’s medical capabilities.

A team of specialists from Israel’s largest medical center joined forces with local healthcare providers to offer specialized care and surgeries for premature and critically ill infants, as well as infants with birth defects.

The mission was part of Sheba’s Global Impact Initiative, dedicated to implementing the most advanced health solutions globally, and fostering better relationships to strengthen fragile healthcare systems. It has launched such missions across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

The standard of medical care varies widely across Ethiopia, but limited access to modern medical facilities and equipment, and widespread poverty, malnutrition, and poor sanitation, have resulted in an average life expectancy of 66 years, lower than the global average of 72.

https://nocamels.com/2023/02/israeli-mission-saves-sick-newborns-in-ethiopia/

#Ethiopia - Analysis: Central Bank sends cash to banks in #Tigray as liquidity crisis cripples recent service resumptions

Residents in the region have been expressing their frustrations on the failures of all banks in the region in providing services despite widely reported resumption of banking services in the region.

“All banks in Tigray are open every day during business hours but they do not provide any financial service to the people,” Tsega’ab Kassa, a resident of Mekelle told Addis Standard.

He said that unlike what is being reported via various media, all the banks have not been providing any financial services at the moment but they are always open at working hours. “The only thing they are currently doing is transferring money from one customer’s bank account to another customer’s account,” he said.

Journalist Berihu Shiferaw, another resident of Mekelle told Addis Standard that, “the banks, including Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, have not yet started offering services which has made life difficult for the people.”

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-central-bank-sends-cash-to-banks-in-tigray-as-liquidity-crisis-cripples-recent-service-resumptions/

#Ethiopia: #Gurage zone residents stage fresh stay at home protests over unresolved statehood demand as #NEBE conducts referendum for new regional state

Gurage zone has been put under command post in November last year following similar protests since August, as part of the zone’s push for own statehood. The ongoing day long protest is in defiance of the command post who cautioned against such kind of protests.

Hayider Murad, a resident of Wolkite told #AddisStandard that there is no activity in the city except for the movements of the SNNP special forces and some ambulances. He said that the government has failed to respond to the right become a state by themselves of the Gurage people.

Andinet Anulo one of the organizers of the protests also told Addis Standard that people in all districts of the zone are staying at home boycotting their routine activities. He said activities would resume tomorrow but the peaceful struggle continues until the government responds to their demands.

https://addisstandard.com/news-gurage-zone-resident-stage-fresh-stay-at-home-protests-over-unresolved-statehood-demand-as-nebe-conduct-referendum-for-new-regional-state/