ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen highlighted the necessity of bolstering national mechanisms to swiftly address disaster risks, an official said on November 3.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, led by Demeke Mekonnen, reviewed strategies focused on fostering sustainable self-reliance in the face of disaster threats, alongside leveraging current streams of humanitarian assistance.
The council, in its discussions, examined Ethiopia's current ability to sustainably administer humanitarian aid to those impacted by natural and anthropogenic events, exploring available strategies to address these challenges.
Further deliberations centered on the establishment of priorities for the upcoming four months, aiming to efficiently channel emergency support to populations in distress.
During the meeting, Demeke referenced the nation's historical resilience against various calamities, underscoring the significance of cultivating a robust national capacity to manage disaster-induced risks to human life, property, and livestock.
Citing Ethiopia's existing achievements in sectors such as irrigated wheat production, Demeke advocated for harnessing these successes to fuel independent humanitarian responses.
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the urgency of a harmonized and prompt intervention to address the immediate humanitarian needs within the nation, advocating for a response that prevents loss of life or further complications.
Demeke noted the intrinsic link between self-reliant humanitarian action, sovereignty, and national pride, emphasizing the imperative to address emergent challenges through indigenous means.
He also called for the establishment of a resilient system to manage and react to disasters in a lasting way.
In his remarks, Demeke urged regional states to allocate the necessary financial resources and to seek sustainable solutions through enhanced collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Shiferaw Teklemariam, National Disaster Risk Management Commissioner, pointed out that delivering humanitarian aid independently is a duty deeply rooted in national pride. He emphasized the need for accurate beneficiary identification, organizational improvement, stronger coordination frameworks, and a shift away from dependency.
Shiferaw advocated for a concerted effort with regional states to forge enduring resolutions to the natural and man-made adversities facing the populace.
He added that Ethiopia's agricultural potential, among other sectors, could not only resolve current humanitarian challenges but could also lead to the foundation of Ethiopia Aid, provided that effective strategies are implemented.
Meeting attendees recognized that natural and human-induced disasters exacerbate poverty, threaten economic autonomy in the short term, and pose risks to national security, highlighting the collective responsibility to surmount these issues.