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An independent Ethiopia based online media focusing on current affairs. Original content+daily gist of media monitoring
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News: #Ethiopia explores cross-border transport service with #Djibouti in effort to foster regional connectivity

Ethiopia and Djibouti are working towards initiating a cross-border public transport service between the two nations.

Both countries have expressed their commitment to enabling seamless transport connectivity and a joint team of experts has been assembled to prepare a draft agreement.

The upgrading of the Djibouti-Galafi road, Ethiopia's primary logistics route, is currently underway with certain sections already completed.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopia-explores-cross-border-transport-service-with-djibouti-in-effort-to-foster-regional-connectivity/
#Ethiopia: Imprisoned party leader Chane Kebede transferred to Awash Arba detention center, says Ezema

#Chane_Kebede, chairman of Ethiopia's opposition party #Ezema, has been relocated to #Awash_Arba detention center, according to the statement of the political party.

Police failed to produce Chane in court for the second time, prompting a judge to issue an arrest warrant for the responsible officer.

Ezema expressed concern and urged the police to adhere to the law.

https://addisstandard.com/news-imprisoned-party-leader-chane-kebede-transferred-to-awash-arba-detention-center-says-ezema/
#Ethiopia: In #Tigray, abandoned explosives continue the war against civilians after the fighting is done”

*Humanitarian agencies are ramping up efforts to educate the public about abandoned explosives in Tigray.

*Since the start of the conflict, more than 280 civilian deaths have been linked to explosives.

*Ethiopia was urged to ratify and implement the CCW 1980 and its fifth protocol.


***

It's urgent that we inform communities of this danger, especially children, who naturally want to play with new, interesting-looking objects," said Kanags.

Maybe Desta Arbra's son and wife would be alive today if they were aware that what they thought was scrap metal was an explosive.

Arbra, from Freweyni in eastern Tigray, told investigators that her son "died from an explosion, together with his wife, after attempting to cut an object into pieces for sale as scrap metal, not realising it was an explosive remnant of war."

According to the United Nations Mine Action Service, "explosive Ordnance Risk Education has been provided to humanitarian personnel from 28 organisations, and more than 50 000 at-risk populations have been reached in Northern Ethiopia".

https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/in-tigray-abandoned-explosives-continue-the-war-against-civilians-after-the-fighting-is-done-20231006
#Ethiopia: #WFP resumes food distribution to #refugees in Ethiopia

The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has resumed distribution of food to roughly 900,000 refugees across Ethiopia after revamping safeguards and controls, following reports of large-scale theft of its donations, it said in a statement.

WFP said there had been major reforms at all refugee camps in Ethiopia, with all 24 warehouses in camps now exclusively managed by the WFP.

More non-governmental organizations have been trained to manage food distributions, and new collection procedures will ensure refugees get the right ennoscriptments.

***

The WFP suspended food distributions in all of Ethiopia in June, a day after the United States announced it was doing the same because of diversions of aid.

Neither WFP nor the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) gave details about the aid diversions that led to their decisions.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/wfp-resumes-food-distribution-refugees-ethiopia-2023-10-10/
Over 18,000 #Palestinians pack into #UN shelters as Israeli warplanes bomb #Gaza Strip

Over 18,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were packed into United Nations shelters as Israeli warplanes pounded the tiny territory that is home to 2.3 million people.

Israel’s authorities have sealed off crossings along the country’s border with the coastal enclave and closed checkpoints, blocking movement between cities and towns.

In addition to the bombardment of residential buildings, schools and mosques, clashes between rock-throwing Palestinians and heavily armed Israeli forces in the territory have continued.

For Palestinians, there is no real escape from Gaza, which has been in the stranglehold of a brutal Israeli blockade for the past 16 years.

Even UN facilities that are supposed to be safe zones risk becoming engulfed in the fighting.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/over-18000-palestinians-pack-into-un-shelters-as-israeli-warplanes-bomb-gaza-strip
#Ethiopia: Food insecurity worsens as drought jeopardizes crop output in #Tigray

Tekilay Gebremaryam, a 45-year-old farmer and a father of eight in the #Ruba_Feleg Kebele, #Astbi Woreda, located in the eastern zone of Tigray, shared his hardships with Addis Standard. Last year, before the Belg season in May, Tekilay planted wheat and barley on his one-hectare farmland. Unfortunately, due to the delayed rain, his harvest was ruined before it could mature. This puts him and his family at great risk, as their farmland is their only source of food and income.

“Animals are already dying due to the drought,” said Tekilay. “If urgent aid does not arrive soon, it will be the farmers’ turn.”

The lack of rain continues to affect the southern, southwest, and west zones of Tigray, including Astbi Woreda, during the current Mehir season, with crops planted in June failing to yield. This not only impacts Tekilay’s family but also puts thousands of farmers at risk of famine. According to Tekilay, the drought has led to a scarcity of food, resulting in the death of animals and further exacerbating the challenges faced by thousands of smallholder farmers in Tigray.

https://addisstandard.com/news-food-insecurity-worsens-as-drought-jeopardizes-crop-output-in-tigray/
#Ethiopia: #US turns to biometrics to prevent humanitarian aid theft in Ethiopia

The U.S. will immediately restart food assistance at 28 camps inside Ethiopia that are home to a million refugees, following an agreement with the Ethiopian government to transfer responsibility for storing and distributing the food to aid workers at the camps.

***
Despite its controversies, aid organizations are looking to the potential of biometrics to ensure food reaches those in need. This technology could be instrumental in ensuring the integrity of programs in Ethiopia and beyond.

https://www.biometricupdate.com/202310/us-turns-to-biometrics-to-prevent-humanitarian-aid-theft-in-ethiopia
#Ethiopia: Drought like conditions, desert locust infestation aggravate food security risk in four regions – UN

Persistent drought and desert locust infestation in Ethiopia's #Afar, #Amhara, #Somali, and #Tigray regions have worsened food insecurity, says UN OCHA.

Crop production, livestock health, and access to water have been severely affected. Malnutrition rates are above emergency levels in parts of Afar and Amhara.

Ongoing drought in various zones of Amhara is impacting thousands who rely on food aid. Emergency nutrition interventions are needed to prevent worsening rates.

https://addisstandard.com/news-drought-like-conditions-desert-locust-infestation-aggravate-food-security-risk-in-four-regions-un/
#Ethiopia: Despite distress reports, Ethiopian gov’t stays determined to send half a million migrant workers

Despite distressing reports of Ethiopian migrants' suffering, the government plans to send 500,000 workers through its migrant-worker program this year. However, concerns arise over the migrant-worker program and mistreatment of workers in #Saudi_Arabia.

Amy Pope, Director General of IOM, advocates for regular migration pathways and addresses the issue during her visit to Ethiopia.

Recently, the government established a task force to address challenges in the foreign employment sector.

https://addisstandard.com/news-despite-distress-reports-ethiopian-govt-stays-determined-to-send-half-a-million-migrant-workers/
News: #UN special adviser warns of increased genocide risk in #Ethiopia amidst violent conflicts

The United Nations Special Advisor on Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, has expressed concern over the increased risk of genocide and atrocities in Ethiopia. She said violent conflicts in various regions of the country have intensified, leading to displacement and acts of brutal violence.

Nderitu called for immediate international action to address the situation and emphasized the need for prevention through coordinated efforts.

The UN framework of analysis for atrocity crimes outlines several warning signs that align with the current situation in Ethiopia. The Special Advisor highlighted the importance of accountability in curbing ongoing instability and violence.

https://addisstandard.com/news-un-special-adviser-warns-of-increased-genocide-risk-in-ethiopia-amidst-violent-conflicts/
#UK coffee week to raise funds for Ethiopian coffee-growing communities in Berbere

Over 450 UK coffee shops will be participating in UK Coffee Week, a fundraising event aimed at supporting coffee-growing communities in Berbere, #Ethiopia. Project Waterfall, a #London-based non-profit organization, has raised over £1m ($1.2m) since 2011 to provide clean drinking water, sanitation, and education to coffee-growing communities worldwide.

The proceeds from this year's UK Coffee Week, happening from October 16th to 22nd, 2023, will go towards a new initiative in Berbere. The project aims to provide clean water to an additional 40,000 people by March 2025.

Berbere is recognized by the Ethiopian government as an area severely affected by climate change, experiencing unpredictable rainfall patterns and deforestation.

https://www.worldcoffeeportal.com/Latest/News/2023/October/UK-Coffee-Week-to-raise-funds-for-Project-Waterfal
#UN chief urges immediate action to prevent #Israel-#Gaza conflict spillover

The UN chief raised alarm over clashes along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, as well as reported attacks from southern Lebanon.

“I appeal to all parties – and those who have an influence over those parties – to avoid any further escalation and spillover,” he told reporters at the UN Headquarters, in New York.

UN humanitarian affairs office official in the enclave, Hamada El Bayari, said there was "not one immune centimetre in Gaza where people can feel secure."

He said around 340,000 civilians were now displaced, around 65 per cent of them doing their best to shelter from Israeli airstrikes, at UN relief agency (UNRWA) schools or designated shelters.

"What we are witnessing is really beyond imagination. The toll this war is taking is really huge and seems unprecedented."

At this point of time, every minute that passes, makes it worse", he said.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142177
#Ethiopia: Public discourse begins before government ratifies controversial property tax law

After months of anticipation, the long-awaited property tax law bill was recently presented for public deliberation. The draft framework aims to standardize property tax collection across the country and grant regional governments and municipalities the authority to collect designated property taxes.

The proposed tax is expected to generate revenue of 30 billion birr annually, alleviating pressure on the federal government's budget for regional subsidies. The draft law proposes implementing property taxes on urban land usage rights and ownership of buildings or houses, and tax rates would be reviewed annually.

However, the bill has faced criticism, with concerns raised about its timing amidst ongoing inflationary pressures.

https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-public-discourse-begins-before-government-ratifies-controversial-property-tax-law/
News: Diaspora leaders engage US lawmakers, diplomats to promote peace and transitional justice in #Ethiopia

Ethiopian diaspora leaders met with members of the #US Senate and Congress, as well as the Department of State, to discuss promoting peace and transitional justice in Ethiopia.

They presented a road map for peace and stability to Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and other officials. The coalition also addressed concerns regarding political prisoners, media freedom, corruption, aid distribution, national dialogue, and implementing sanctions.

Their goal is to support peace, justice, and empowerment for all in Ethiopia and the Horn of #Africa.

https://addisstandard.com/news-diaspora-leaders-engage-us-lawmakers-diplomats-to-promote-peace-and-transitional-justice-in-ethiopia/
News: #Ethiopian gov’t strongly criticizes #UN adviser’s remarks on current situation

The Ethiopian government strongly criticized Alice Wairimu Nderitu's recent statement on the situation in Ethiopia, calling it "irresponsible and reckless."

It also expressed reservations about the International Commission of Human Rights Experts' report and objected to Nderitu's characterization of the Pretoria peace agreement as a failure.

The government urged Nderitu to retract her remarks and emphasized its commitment to transitional justice and national dialogue.

https://addisstandard.com/news-ethiopian-government-strongly-criticizes-un-advisers-remarks-on-ethiopias-current-situation/
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In a rare public statement concerning the Red Sea, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlights the critical significance of this vital water body for Ethiopia's survival.

His remarks were featured in a promotional video for an upcoming documentary noscriptd "From a Drop of Water to a Sea Water," produced by the state-affiliated FBC. However, the complete context of the prime minister's speech remains partially undisclosed.

Watch!