News: People in #Borana zone dying of hunger, treatable conditions as health impact of prolonged drought gets severe: #OPA

The #Oromia Physicians’ Association (OPA ), a non-governmental professional association, said the prolonged drought in Borana zone of Oromia regional state in Southwestern Ethiopia has apparently brought the most drastic impact on the health of the people.

In a statement sent to #AddisStandard the association said “people are dying of hunger and treatable conditions, with a death toll on the rise due to the loss of millions of livestock and little to no food supply”.

Malnutrition, dehydration, and water-borne diseases are a few of the health issues that have arisen following the drought according to OPA.

“Malnutrition cases have increased dramatically, with a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 16.04% as a whole and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) prevalence in Pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) reaching 40%” it stated, adding that, “malnutrition related edema admission and deaths in stabilization centers have also shown a considerable increase over time”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-opa-says-people-in-borana-zone-dying-of-hunger-treatable-conditions-as-health-impact-of-prolonged-drought-gets-severe/

News: Stalemate in #Guji zone, Southern #Oromia as protests over government’s decision to incorporate #Negelle town into East #Borana zone continue

Residents of Guji zone in Southern Oromia have continued protesting against the incorporation of Nagelle into the newly established “East Borana zone’ whereas the government clung to imposing the decision by force, residents told Addis Standard.

Protests erupted in the zone last week, a day after the regional council publicized a decision to incorporate Negelle town and three districts from Guji into the “East Borana zone’ on 27 February 2023.

On 03 of March, Addis Standard reported that at least three civilians were killed, two were injured in Bore district and several others were arrested in the ongoing protests.

The people of the zone have boycotted regular business activities over the past three days, and mass demonstrations have been taking place in several towns of the zone according to residents.

https://addisstandard.com/news-stalemate-in-guji-zone-southern-oromia-as-protests-over-governments-decision-to-incorporate-negelle-town-into-east-borana-zone-continue/

#Ethiopia: Meet the brave girls changing the face of skateboarding in Ethiopia

Through an all-female group dominated mainly by teenagers, the girls are finding their balance on their boards as they break down stereotypes and fight bullying and sexism.

Just days after Helina Solomon had mastered control and balance on the board, she found herself on similarly uneven ground.

At a skatepark, her first main obstacle was not the high ramps but her safety.

Her passion for skateboarding was questioned and she became a target of personal and sexual attacks from some boys who couldn’t understand how this teenage girl was trying to flip the narrative, disrupting their ‘boy’s game’.

“It was not easy. The boys at the skate park bullied girl skateboarders. They harassed us when they saw us on boards,” Solomon said in an interview with Olympics.com from Addis Abeba.

https://olympics.com/en/news/brave-girls-changing-face-skateboarding-ethiopia

News: #Amnesty joins growing calls urging #Ethiopian gov. to lift month-long blockade on selected social media platforms

Amnesty international joined growing calls urging the Ethiopian government to lift state-sanctioned month-long blockade on selected social media platforms.

The blockade was imposed after a fracture between the government and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church (EOTC) Holy Synod in Addis Abeba picked momentum in the month of February. It has now entered its second month. A similar call was made on 24 February by Daniel Bekele, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Similarly, on March 03, the Ethiopian Media Council (EMC), expressed its concern on the blockade and asked the government to end the practice of frequent jamming of social media platforms.

“Ethiopian authorities have, for a month now, blocked people in the country from accessing selected social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, Tik Tok and YouTube. The authorities thus continue to violate people’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information,” Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Flavia Mwangovya said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-amnesty-joins-growing-calls-urging-ethiopian-gov-to-lift-month-long-blockade-on-selected-social-media-platforms/

Survivor recounts #Tigray civilian massacres

In #Ethiopia's Tigray region reports are emerging of a large-scale massacre that happened just days before the peace deal was signed in November. DW met with a survivor.

Warning: This report contains disturbing subject matter.

https://www.dw.com/en/survivor-recounts-tigray-civilian-massacres/video-64905274

News: Hunger-induced outbreak kills at least 11 people in drought hit South #Omo zone, residents endure dire drought impacts

By Mihret G Kristos

Pastoralist and semi-pastoralist communities in South Omo zone in #Ethiopia’s newest South Western region are severely hit by drought, and an outbreak of Hashimoto’s disease ensued from the drought killed at least 11 people, officials told #AddisStandard.

According to Abraham Atta, head of the zone’s health office, more than 135 people with confirmed cases of the thyroiditis disease were admitted to Jinka Hospital over the past six months and 11 of them have succumbed to the disease while they were at the hospital.

He said more than 50 percent of the victims are from Salamago, one of the worst drought hit districts of the zone, emphasizing that the disease is caused by severe hunger.

According to Abreham, there are reports that more than 70 people may have died as a result of the disease in inaccessible areas occupied by the Mursi community.

“It has become beyond our capacity, we have reported it to the regional government, and somehow NGOs are working on it, but more resources are needed to make medical treatments available all over the areas affected by the disease” he added.

https://addisstandard.com/news-hunger-induced-outbreak-kills-at-least-11-people-in-drought-hit-south-omo-zone-residents-endure-dire-drought-impacts/

News: City Transport Bureau bans three and four-wheeled “#Bajaj” transport services indefinitely

On Tuesday 07 March, over 100 Bajaj drivers gathered around Haile Garment, Nifas Silk Laft Subcity, in the capital Addis Abeba to protests against city authorities’ decision to ban them from operating on the main roads in the area. The drivers lined up and blocked the road a protest ensuing in confrontations with security forces.

Subsequently several Bajaj drivers were wounded following the clashes between the drivers and security forces. A three-wheeled Bajaj driver in the Jemo neighborhood, Nefas Silk Lafto Subcity, told Addis Standard on conditions of anonymity that the Bajaj drivers halted operations and were sitting idle waiting for further decisions from the authorities.

A joint task force for Peace & Security Operations Force committee issued a statement yesterday saying that the drivers have damaged security and private vehicles by blocking roads and throwing stones during the protest.

https://addisstandard.com/news-city-transport-bureau-bans-three-and-four-wheeled-bajaj-transport-services-indefinitely/

News: #Ethiopian Security, Intelligence task force detains more than 800 in #AddisAbeba for alleged involvement in #Adwa day disturbances

A joint task force for Peace & Security Operations in the capital announced that it has detained close to 880 people who it accused of mobilizing to disrupt the 127th celebration of the Victory of Adwa at the Minilik Square, Arada Subcity in the capital Addis Abeba on Thursday 02 March. The task force accused the detainees of harming people and causing damage to properties.

According to the task force of the total detainees, close to 560 came to the city from other regional states, and the rest were from various sub-cities in the capital city. “Preparations have been made beforehand,” Getu Argaw, commissioner for the Addis Abeba Police Commission and a member of the task force, said.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-security-intelligence-task-force-detains-more-than-800-in-addis-abeba-for-alleged-involvement-in-adwa-day-disturbances/

#Ethiopia: Comedian-backed charity raises $1.6m in 48 hours

A crowdfunding campaign backed by Ethiopian comedian Eshetu Melese has led to more than $1.6m (£1.35m) raised within 48 hours for a charity that plans to build what it describes as the first nursing home facility for homeless people in the country.

The money has come from 15,200 donations, with the highest amount being $10,000.

The GoFundMe campaign is aimed at helping the charity #Mekedonia to raise $2m.

"Make a difference in the lives of countless elderly and mentally challenged people who live under dire circumstances on the streets - help us build home for the homeless," it says.

The comedian also helped the charity raise donations from local banks, though that amount is unclear.

Eshetu is a young stand-comedian and TV host in Ethiopia. He has become popular in recent years for a show that features talented children. https://www.facebook.com/AddisstandardEng/posts/pfbid0cg6kXcUbVjNK6qxzoagxn8UPL6F9aepjvKbfRjQd5ViKVxuck4v5hRHsddxnsZ82l

#Ethiopia: Rehabilitation Commission, #Tigray officials hold first meeting in #Mekelle on disarmament, national rehabilitation of Tigrayan forces

This is the first meeting between the two parties after the top military leadership of the federal army and Tigrayan forces concluded a five day meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on 12 November last year, agreeing to form a joint committee to “elaborate on the modalities for the implementation of comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program.”

Subsequently, the African Union appointed Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (MVCM) team had launched the disarmament process of Tigrayan combatants and confirmed Tigrayan forces’ handing over of heavy weapons to the Ethiopian National Defense Forces on 10 January.

Under the “Disarmament of Tigray armed combatants” of the Nairobi Declaration, it was stated that “disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign and non-ENDF forces from the region.”

However, today’s meeting is taking place in the backdrop of the continued presence and reports of grave human rights violations by the #Eritrean and #Amhara forces against civilians in the Tigray region.

https://addisstandard.com/news-rehabilitation-commission-tigray-officials-hold-first-meeting-in-mekelle-on-disarmament-national-rehabilitation-of-tigrayan-forces/

#US Weighs Offering Economic Lifeline to #Ethiopia Despite War Atrocities

The Biden administration is weighing plans to lift restrictions on aid and financial assistance to war-battered Ethiopia in a move that has drawn backlash from human rights advocates and some factions within the administration.

The plan, if confirmed, is expected to be announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during an upcoming visit to the Ethiopian capital of #AddisAbeba later this month, according to multiple current and former officials familiar with the matter.

The debate playing out within the administration over its Ethiopia policy reflects a concern among top aid and human rights officials as well as lawmakers in Congress that U.S. President Joe Biden hasn’t done enough to acknowledge or hold Ethiopia accountable for atrocities, ethnic cleansing, and possible war crimes it committed during a devastating two-year war against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group in the country’s northern Tigray region. That war cost hundreds of thousands of lives and destabilized Africa’s second-most-populous country.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/09/us-ethiopia-war-tigray-aid-peace-agreement/

News: Starving IDPs in #WagHemra zone, Amhara region urge immediate food aid, plea for assistance to return to their homes

Internally Displaced People (IDPs) who were uprooted from their homes in #Tsagbiji and #Abergele districts in Wag-Hemra zone of the Amhara region and currently harbored at Woleh makeshift camp in the zone say they are suffering from acute hunger as they haven’t received any food aid since June last year.

The IDPs said that despite expectations to return back to their homes following the signing of the peace agreement between the Tigrayan authorities and the federal government of Ethiopia, they are unable to return and still suffering in the camp.

Abraha Woldu, one of the IDPs who came from Tsagbiji district with his family of five said, “we are starving, we are only waiting for our death”. He noted that they were getting aid through the safety-net program before, but since June they have not been given anything at all.

Debash Belay Ayele, another IDP and a father of two, said, “it has been more than a year since we were displaced from Tsagbiji district, and our life has become very miserable ever since”.

https://addisstandard.com/news-starving-idps-in-wag-hemra-zone-amhara-region-urge-immediate-food-aid-plea-for-assistance-to-return-to-their-homes/

#Ethiopia: Disaster Risk Management Council holds first emergency response meeting in seven years as ongoing drought devours millions of #Ethiopians

However, this is the first emergency meeting by the Council convened to review the reports showing the scale and depths of the ongoing drought, the extent of the damage on both human lives livestock heads and properties.

During the 2016 drought in which more than 10 million Ethiopians were exposed to climate shock and were left in need of emergency food assistance, a similar emergency response plan was coordinated under the auspices of Demeke Mekonnen, then deputy prime Minister, enabling Ethiopia stave off the impacts of the drought before the lives of human and livestock were lost.

But despite the presence of multiple warnings and media reports in the last year and half, minimum efforts were exerted by the government to mitigate the ongoing drought, which has already devoured millions of livestock in #Borana zone, southern #Oromia and #Dawa zone in #Somali regional state.

In the pastoralist and semi-pastoralist communities in South #Omo zone in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) region, an outbreak of Hashimoto’s disease driven from the drought has killed at least 11 people, officials told Addis Standard. reports are surfacing from #Konso and #Dawro zones of the same region indicating the death of humans as well as livestock due to the drought.

https://addisstandard.com/news-disaster-risk-management-council-holds-first-emergency-response-meeting-in-seven-years-as-ongoing-drought-devours-millions-of-ethiopians/

#NewsAlert: Blinken due in #Ethiopia next week

State Department confirmed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Ethiopia next week.

Blinken will travel to Ethiopia and Niger March 14-17, 2023. “On March 15, the Secretary will visit Addis Abeba, Ethiopia where he will discuss implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement to advance peace and promote transitional justice in northern Ethiopia. He will also meet humanitarian partners and civil society actors to discuss humanitarian assistance delivery, food security, and human rights,” the state department said.

He is also expected to meet with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

https://addisstandard.com/newsalert-blinken-due-in-ethiopia-next-week/

#Ethiopia: #Sidama region says recent deadly violence near bordering West #Arsi, #Oromia region neither border dispute nor ethnic clash

Sidama region has said that the recent violence that saw at least a dozen people killed in border areas with West Arsi zone of the neighboring Oromia region is neither border dispute nor ethnic clashes between the Sidama and the Oromo people, as widely reported.

Speaking to #AddisStandard, Alemayehu Timothewos, head of the Justice and Security Bureau of Sidama region, said that the violence erupted last week after a dispute between individuals was escalated.

Alemayehu said that several people were killed and property was destroyed due to the conflict, and said that there were casualties from both sides. He stated that the conflict occurred after an ethnic Sidama individual killed a person in a fight that broke out in Gubo village of East Guji Zone. Relatives of the victim then traced the individual and acted in retaliation killing many people and destroying properties.

Ahmed Haji, the chief administrator of West Arsi Zone, corroborated Alemayehu’s remarks, and said reports that the deceased were attacked after they were called for a meeting is inaccurate.

https://addisstandard.com/news-sidama-region-says-recent-deadly-violence-near-bordering-west-arsi-oromia-region-neither-border-dispute-nor-ethnic-clash/

Rebuilding schools, hospitals top priority in #Ethiopia's #Tigray: charity

Rebuilding schools and hospitals is the "number one priority" in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region after two years of brutal conflict, Janti Soeripto, head of the US-based charity Save the Children told AFP on Friday.

"It's everything. Absolutely, physical infrastructures need to be rebuilt: from water systems, boreholes, water pumps... a lot of it was literally destroyed. I have seen pictures of healthcare facilities that were completely ripped apart, completely. Not only were stuff taken, but X-ray machines were smashed, all the equipment was taken, fridges are gone, the building is completely unusable. So physical infrastructures, rebuilding of school and healthcare facilities: absolutely number one priority. But then there's the stuff that is invisible... how do we make sure they get access to the mental health and psychosocial support they need?"

https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/africa/rebuilding-schools-hospitals-top-priority-in-ethiopias-tigray-charity-pxs1qgtf

News: #Amnesty asks #Blinken to put human rights at heart of conversation with Prime Minister Abiy

“Secretary Blinken’s trip to Ethiopia comes at a critical time in the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) and when the Ethiopian government is actively mobilizing support to terminate the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (#ICHREE),” Kate Hixon, Africa Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, said. “United States and international community engagement remains vital, and it is positive to see the Secretary prioritizing Ethiopia.”

Last week, a group of 63 worldwide human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) appealed to the permanent representatives of member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on February 28, to reject any resolution forwarded by Ethiopia the mandate of the UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE).

The group’s appeal came in the backdrop of news that Ethiopia has circulated a draft resolution asking for the termination of the rights experts in the country.

“We write to urge your delegations to reject any resolution to prematurely terminate the mandate of ICHREE, and to express your support for the mandate and work of the Commission,” the group’s appeal reads.

Ethiopia’s latest attempt at blocking the ICHREE and its works failed in December last year when its draft resolution requesting the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly to not approve any resources was rejected by a vote of 71 against 32 in favor, whereas 50 members states abstained the vote.

https://addisstandard.com/news-amnesty-asks-blinken-to-put-human-rights-at-heart-of-conversation-with-prime-minister-abiy/

News: #Ethiopia dismayed by #ArabLeague’s resolution calling for “flexibility” on filling, operation of #GERD

Ethiopia said it is dismayed by the resolution issued by the Arab League regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

A statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that “the management and utilization of the Nile River, including the filling and operation of the GERD, must be left to the concerned parties in Africa” accusing the Arab League of serving “as the spokesperson of one state, disregarding basic principles of international law”.

“Such attempts to politicize the issue of GERD neither advance friendly relations nor support the efforts to arrive at amicable solutions, as they are not based on facts or supported by law,” the statement added.

On 09 March, the Arab League’s foreign ministers council issued a resolution calling on Ethiopia to show flexibility on filling and operation of the GERD, after the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry asked Arab nations to pressure Ethiopia to halt its “unilateral and unco-operative practices” according to media reports.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-dismayed-by-arab-leagues-resolution-calling-for-flexibility-on-filling-operation-of-gerd/

Commentary: Ever-increasing #Cholera outbreak in #Oromia Region may lead to disastrous consequences – #OPA

Cholera cases have been on the rise from 2015 to 2023, creating an even greater challenge for the region. In that time frame, there have been 109 cases and 1 death in 2015, 5232 cases and 59 deaths in 2016, 3433 cases and 21 deaths in 2017, 123 cases in 2018, 970 cases and 5 deaths in 2019, 1488 cases and 13 deaths in 2020, 604 cases and 4 deaths in 2021, and 1329 cases and 22 deaths in 2022, resulting in an average case fatality rate of 1.7% in the region, beyond the World Health Organization’s acceptable rate of 1%. The outbreak has been mainly concentrated in 4 zones and 97 woredas, with Bale Zone having the highest case fatality rate of 3.1%, and Delo Mena woreda’s case fatality reaching as high as 9.1%.

The main cause of these outbreaks is the failure to effectively implement the four steps necessary for the control of outbreaks and pandemics: prevention, response, management and control.

https://addisstandard.com/commentary-ever-increasing-cholera-outbreak-in-oromia-region-may-lead-to-disastrous-consequences-opa/

News: Communities in drought-hit #Borana reel amid rising aid delivery scandal, officials refute allegations

By Biruk Alemu and Medihane Ekubamichael

#Yabelo, Borana – Community members in Yabelo, the administrative capital of the drought-hit Borana zone, in Southern Oromia, are reeling in the midst of allegations on the rising cases of corruption in aid administration that saw a portion of the aid deliveries are taken for personal use by the people in charge of local aid distribution.

Alarmed community members informed team Addis Standard on the ground that they encountered flour branded after Busa Gonofa, a regional relief commission, solely packed for aid purposes were appearing on markets in the outskirts of Yabelo.

***
“Retailers are even asked to buy flour that came through individual and group aid providers”, said one resident, adding that the issue has been lurking in the town, and he believes that most of the aid donations are highly likely to end up into the pockets of corrupted officials in charge of receiving the aid at the warehouses in Yabelo.

https://addisstandard.com/news-communities-in-drought-hit-borana-reel-amid-rising-aid-scandal-officials-refute-allegations/