Arba Minch University hosted the official launch of USAID's five-year program aimed at reducing the impact of disasters on communities across Ethiopia at the university's Abaya Campus, on October 15, 2024.Click here to see more photos.
The project is designed to shift the approach from simply responding to emergencies to actively managing risks and building local resilience. RTI International, as a leading nonprofit research institute, will implement this project in collaboration with various stakeholders, including local governments, universities and community organizations.
In his welcoming remarks, AMU President Dr. Damtew Darza highlighted the university's ongoing work in disaster risk management, noting its collaboration with the Ethiopian Disaster and Risk Management Commission through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He further emphasized AMU’s extensive experience in conducting and publishing high-level research in the field and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in the success of this program.
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Shiferaw Teklemariam, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, emphasized the Ethiopian government's strong commitment to enhance disaster resilience and effective risk management. He highlighted the importance of this project in building the country’s capacity to respond to disasters and expressed gratitude for USAID’s support. Dr. Shiferaw also noted that collaboration with institutions like Arba Minch University will play a crucial role in implementing innovative solutions for sustainable disaster management.
Marko Lesukat, RTI International's Chief of Party for the USAID project, emphasized the challenges faced by Ethiopia's disaster risk management system. He noted that the system is often overwhelmed by emergency responses, which limits the resources and capacity available for proactive risk management. To address these challenges, RTI plans to connect local, regional, and federal systems while enhancing the capabilities of key stakeholders to overcome existing barriers and drive meaningful change.
Officials and experts from Arba Minch University, USAID, the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), RTI International, and the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee attended the launching event.
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