#Ethiopia: Malaria epidemic grips #Amhara region with 82.5% of districts affected

The Amhara Health Bureau revealed yesterday that a significant 82.5% of districts in the region are grappling with the rapid spread of malaria. In response, officials from the bureau joined forces with malaria prevention and control experts in #Bahir_Dar to strategize effective measures against the epidemic.

During the discussion, Meleseaw Chanyalew, Director at the bureau, highlighted the significant impact of malaria on the community in most areas of the region, leading to a high number of illnesses and fatalities. Health experts further revealed that due to security concerns, many health facilities remain closed, while the ones in operation face shortages of medicine and malaria test kits.

Read more at: https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1724316980126068794

Conflict, climatic shocks drive humanitarian needs in #Ethiopia: UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR) has highlighted conflict and climatic shocks as the main catalysts behind humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, according to a recent report. In the past 10 months, the agency stated that insecurity, intercommunal conflict, and climatic shocks have continued to drive the pressing needs in the East African country.

The outbreak of conflicts in the #Amhara region has notably impacted access to essential aid for displaced and returning communities. Economic barriers, such as soaring prices and reduced purchasing power, have also prevented displacement-affected populations from obtaining necessary items and shelters.

https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-emergency-shelter-and-nfi-cluster-monthly-response-monitoring-dashboard-31-october-2023

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed is responding to several questions raised from law makers at the ongoing 3rd year 4th regular session of the House of People’s Representatives (HoPR).

MP Bartema candidly said that Ethiopians elected the current government with a dose of "trust and love" to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed due in large part to his promises to transition the country, among others, by curbing joblessness, tackling the rising cost of living, strengthening democratic institution building processes and curbing extreme nationalism to foster the culture democratic pluralism all aimed at improving the lives of Ethiopians.

MP Bartema goes on saying that despite promises of peace after the Pretoria agreement to end the war in Tigray, other conflicts are exacerbated in the country and even the Pretoria agreement itself is not delivering as expected.

Read more at: https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1724336364286574816?s=46&t=ofAzVW8-64dDK-xsjodCGA

#Ethiopia: Fresh armed attack in #Bure, #Amhara region killed many, displaced thousands – residents

Residents in Bure District of the Amhara region report an organized attack by the Fano militia group in #Bako_Chabo and #Sontom_Mariam villages. The attack, which began on 8 November, has resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, with some sources suggesting a death toll as high as 40. Many have been displaced, with over 3,000 individuals seeking refuge in the neighboring #Horro_Guduru_Wollega Zone of the #Oromia region.

According to witnesses, the Fano groups, stationed in #Haro village of the #Kiramu district and Bure district, coordinated in carrying out the assault. The attack specifically targeted ethnic Oromo residents who refused to cooperate with the militia group. Some victims reportedly drowned in River Abay while attempting to escape to Oromia.

Local officials have expressed concern about the growing number of displaced individuals, currently estimated at nearly 2,900, seeking assistance in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone. This influx poses challenges for the district's capacity to provide essential supplies.

https://addisstandard.com/news-fresh-armed-attack-in-bure-amhara-region-killed-many-displaced-thousands-residents/

#Ethiopia fails to attract any bids for a third wireless license, sources say, amid concerns about #conflict in parts of the nation

Ethiopia failed to attract any bids for a third wireless license, according to people with knowledge of the matter, amid concerns about conflict in parts of the Horn of Africa nation.

The process to sell a permit is likely to be put on hold, said the people who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public yet. Ethiopia sold its first license to a group led by Kenya’s Safaricom Plc in 2021, and subsequently rejected MTN Group Ltd.’s $600-million bid for a second permit.

Ethiopia’s plan to lure investors is being stymied by concerns about instability in several regions of the most-populated nation in Africa after Nigeria, a year after it emerged from a civil war.

Despite a cease-fire deal between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a United Nations panel last month said the nation faces a high risk of further atrocities because of instability in several regions. https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-14/ethiopia-fails-to-attract-any-bids-for-third-telecom-license?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=twitter

#Ethiopia: PM Abiy Ahmed urges armed groups to lay down weapons, pursue peaceful struggle amid surging impact of conflicts

During the parlaimentary session held this morning, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed conflicts in Ethiopia, stating that they are causing loss of life and destruction in various parts of the country, particularly in the #Oromia and #Amhara regions. He expressed that these conflicts are hindering the progress of the nation.

The Prime Minister responded to inquiries regarding peace, security, the cost of living, and corruption. He emphasized that the government's intention has always been peace and clarified that no war or conflict initiated by the government has occurred within the past five years. Instead, the government has been focused on defending itself against groups attempting to forcibly overthrow it.

The Prime Minister called on these armed groups to choose peace and negotiation as a means to achieve their political goals. His remarks came following the ongoing talks with the Oromo Liberation Army (#OLA) to bring an end to the conflict that has caused significant destruction and loss of life in the Oromia region. Addis Standard recently reported that progress has been made in these talks, and substantive issues are now being addressed.

https://addisstandard.com/news-pm-abiy-ahmed-urges-armed-groups-to-lay-down-weapons-pursue-peaceful-struggle-amid-surging-impact-of-conflicts/

News: #Ethiopia’s quest for sea outlet, own port neither new nor a threat to neighboring countries: PM Abiy

“What I want countries in the Horn of Africa, the world in the east and west alike and all others to understand in good faith is our genuine interest and our problems,” the Prime Minister said and went on reasoning Ethiopia’s quest to access sea outlet and own a port in the #Red_See coast, a topic that has gripped many and caused a stir ever since he first made public comments about it.

Criticizing those who say the agenda is new, the PM quipped saying: “I think they were absent when we built a #Navy or did not have YouTubes; when we built a Navy, it is clear that there is no other agenda, we meant we need a sea; the agenda is clear,” he said, referring Ethiopia’s less talked about preparations of a Naval force, and adding that it was not correct to misrepresent the agenda as something new.

Dismissing speculations of impending conflict in the Horn of Africa, the PM said “Ethiopia has no interest to shot a single bullet towards #Eritrea, #Somalia, #Djibouti, #Kenya or any other country in its neighborhood; nor do we have any question on the sovereignty of any country.” https://addisstandard.com/?p=39252

#Ethiopia agrees debt-service suspension with official creditors

Ethiopia has reached an agreement in principle with its official bilateral creditors on an interim debt-service suspension on its official bilateral debt, its finance ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ethiopia requested the debt-service suspension while carrying out program discussions with the International Monetary Fund (#IMF) and seeking to conclude debt restructuring negotiations with official bilateral creditors under the G20's Common Framework, the finance ministry added.

"Ethiopia is currently holding discussions with the IMF with the objective of reaching an agreement on a set of policies and reforms that could underpin the adoption by the IMF Executive Board of a new program for Ethiopia," it said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-agrees-debt-service-suspension-with-official-creditors-2023-11-15/

News: #USAID to resume vital food assistance in #Ethiopia following reforms to prevent aid diversion

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has just announced that it will resume vital food assistance in Ethiopia next month. This decision comes after significant reforms were implemented by the Ethiopian government and humanitarian partners.

Six months ago, USAID had to suspend all food aid due to evidence of widespread diversion, which was depriving vulnerable communities in #Tigray of much-needed relief. Additionally, the World Food Program (#WFP) also halted humanitarian assistance in May 2023 due to alleged reports of aid diversion.

A thorough investigation carried out by USAID's Inspector General exposed the diversion and sale of food supplies that were meant for famine-affected populations in Tigray. Consequently, all assistance to the region was stopped until rigorous oversight mechanisms could be established.

https://addisstandard.com/news-usaid-to-resume-vital-food-assistance-in-ethiopia-following-reforms-to-prevent-aid-diversion/

#Rwanda asylum plan unlawful, #UK Supreme Court

The British Government's plan to deport migrants to Rwanda is unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The plan is designed to deter people crossing in small boats across the Channel.

Once in Rwanda, people could claim asylum there, return home, or seek asylum in a third country - not the UK.

But since being announced, the plan has been thwarted by legal challenges - the High Court ruled it lawful, before the Court of Appeal overturned the decision

The Supreme Court has now confirmed the Court of Appeal's decision. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-67418363?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=65549a931ec331355f9630ef%26Government%27s%20Rwanda%20plan%20ruled%20unlawful%262023-11-15T10%3A17%3A35.392Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:04a5a8e5-58c7-471a-880c-26fdc032d66c&pinned_post_asset_id=65549a931ec331355f9630ef&pinned_post_type=share

#Ethiopia: Death toll from malaria outbreak in Western #Oromia “significantly higher” – OPA

The Oromia Physicians Association (#OPA) is sending doctors to provide emergency healthcare services in #Western_Oromia, where there is a severe malaria outbreak. The situation in the #West_Wollega and #Kellem_Wollega zones is worse than previously reported, with over 156,599 and 92,376 confirmed cases of malaria in the past three months respectively.

The OPA believes that the numbers reported underestimate the true extent of the outbreak and its impact on communities due to damaged or non-functional health facilities. The association has received support from stakeholders, including the diaspora, to procure medical supplies for affected areas.

According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (#OCHA), a total of 774,519 malaria cases with 180 deaths have been reported in Oromia since January 2023, with the majority of cases coming from Western Oromia, particularly the West Wollega and Kellem Wollega zones.

https://addisstandard.com/news-death-toll-from-malaria-outbreak-in-western-oromia-significantly-higher-opa/