Jan 7 , 2022
By Brook Kebede
The recent conflict, recurring natural disasters, chronic poverty, drought, desert locust swarms, widespread food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in millions of Ethiopians needing humanitarian assistance. The recent escalation of the civil war has resulted in the loss of life, displacement, and looting of a large segment of the population.
Besides, there are too many destroyed health centres, civilian infrastructure, factories, universities, schools, government offices and irrigation systems vital to the economy. It is no surprise then that millions of people in Ethiopia are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Some seven million people throughout the country are suffering acute food insecurity. Still, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The complex circumstances have made humanitarian response very difficult, and the population's needs continue to increase. Above all, vulnerable sections of society, including children, persons with disabilities, women, seniors, and others, have been affected by the humanitarian crisis and will also likely continue to be impacted after the conflict ends.
There is a strong need to expand the financing pool for protracted humanitarian crises and reconstitution of basic infrastructure. Here, we have observed several efforts made by individuals, groups, NGOs and government agencies. Besides, the public is providing a helping hand through various means. But there is a lack of coordination since humanitarian actors and government are making independent decisions and choices about who, what and where to provide support.
There is also no regular forum for consultation or communication about these choices and decisions. Consequently, duplication of tasks and wastage of resources are observed. There is a strong need for coordinated effort about the division of tasks, or at the very least, and greater communication of funding intentions between them. This is because coordinated humanitarian services can bring significant benefits and will help to save more lives and restore more people’s livelihoods.
Comprehensive post-conflict reconstruction plans need to be designed to facilitate the transition to sustainable peace and to support economic and social development. Economic recovery depends on the success of this transition and on rebuilding the domestic economy and restoring access to external resources. The government should design a comprehensive reestablishment framework of governance by strengthening affected regional and local governments, restoring law and order, and enabling civil society organisations to work effectively in the affected areas.
Besides, both the federal and regional governments need to focus on revamping essential infrastructures, such as key transport, communication, and utility networks. In this respect, they should rebuild and maintain key social infrastructure, financing education and health, including recurrent costs.
There has to be a clear and smart plan to provide assistance to those affected by conflicts through the reintegration of displaced populations. In the meantime, it is vital to demobilise and reintegrate ex-combatants, including militias and irregular armed groups. Special considerations should also be given to the wounded and impacted populations. The whole time, attention should not be taken away from vulnerable groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, seniors and children. It is the long-term effects of war on these groups that will continue to burden the economy even after the conflict is officially ended.
The federal government, in consultation with regional governments, should also design a strategy that promotes investment in key productive sectors; creates conducive conditions for resumption of trade, savings, and domestic and foreign investment; and promotes macroeconomic stabilisation, rehabilitation of financial institutions, and restoration of appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks. To aid in this, the government needs to normalise financial borrowing arrangements by planning a workout of arrears, debt rescheduling, and the longer-term path to financial normalisation.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 07,2022 [ VOL
22 , NO
1132]
Commentaries | Jul 30,2022
Fortune News | Mar 09,2019
Fortune News | Mar 13,2020
Radar | Mar 11,2024
Photo Gallery | 97510 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 89743 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67424 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65849 Views | Oct 02,2021
Editorial | May 02,2024
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
May 2 , 2024
For successive generations of Ethiopia's tax authorities, the chore of tax collection...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 28 , 2024
A dire situation unfolds across public universities, where students face the harsh re...
Apr 28 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
A European business lobby in Ethiopia issued a scathing review of the tax system last...
Apr 28 , 2024
The Federal Supreme Court has recently ruled in the prolonged commercial dispute surr...
Apr 28 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Transport authorities placed blame on driving schools and vehicle inspection centres...