Few understood the deep scars of famine as keenly as Shimelis Adugna, whose personal rituals hinted at the hardships he witnessed. Leftovers never seemed an option on his plate. Instead, he measured out his portions and cleared them with dutiful precision. This habit, shaped by the lessons he drew from serving as Commissioner of the Relief & Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), followed him for much of his life.

Colleagues observed his meticulousness. They believe it likely came from a time when every grain of rice or a scrap of food could save a life.

Shimelis’s name became synonymous with humanitarianism and voluntarism. During the mid-1970s, one of the country’s darkest chapters unfolded when famine devastated its northern regions, putting countless lives at risk. He took the lead role in establishing the Commission to coordinate the influx of international aid. He displayed a tireless resolve to alleviate people’s suffering, and he did it with the unyielding dedication that many of his contemporaries still speak about today.



Shimeles was in charge of ensuring that vast shipments of relief supplies arriving from different parts of the world reached the hands of those who needed them most. Overseeing these operations, he faced grim realities daily. He spoke about the plight of his fellow citizens with a voice that carried the weight of sorrow. His eyes brimmed with tears as he offered updates to anyone who would listen — government officials, humanitarian agencies, or curious onlookers.

Former colleagues recall that no matter how often he spoke about the crisis, his empathy remained raw and genuine. Some say this palpable emotion served as a moral call to action for everyone around him.

According to Shibeshi Lemma, who worked as the Commission's public relations officer during those turbulent times, international aid providers sought out Shimelis, convinced that his sincerity and commitment were unmatched. They understood that beneath his calm demeanour was an unwavering drive to help people survive unimaginable hardship.

“He was trusted and respected,” said Shibeshi.


Despite the constant demands of relief work, Shimelis did not allow his responsibilities to overshadow his life at home. He was, by all accounts, a devoted family man. His wife, Yeworkwuha Zewdie, and his five children had a father who guided them with calm conversations rather than lectures. Books were familiar in their household, and he instilled in his children the belief that truthfulness was a foundation of character.

His son, Brook, remembers that having convictions was not enough; one had to be ready to face the consequences of standing by them.



“That was very important to him,” said his son Brook, who remembers his father as someone with a clear set of principles.

He described Shimelis as a man who worked relentlessly, always willing to hear people out.


“His emotions were always on display,” Brook said. “Tears would roll down his cheeks when people shared their pain.”

That compassion left a lasting mark on the family, teaching them to lend an ear to others, respect their needs, and offer help whenever possible. Brook recalled how people in need never required any reference or formal introduction to approach his father.

“They didn’t need anyone to vouch for them,” he said. “They simply had to show up at home or his office.”


They would find a man ready to avail himself of his resources, connections, or simply his time to lighten another’s burden.

Shimelis’s public service career spanned multiple roles and institutions, illustrating his far-reaching influence. He began as a lecturer at Addis Abeba University, where he obtained his first degree. Later, he served as Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs and assumed his role as Commissioner of Relief & Rehabilitation. Throughout these appointments, he took assignments ranging from urban community development to social research and disaster relief coordination.

His reach extended beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Over the years, Shimelis held diplomatic and advisory posts with UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In those international arenas, he remained the same empathetic leader he was at home, someone who believed in the fundamental dignity of all people and dedicated himself to improving their circumstances.

Friends and acquaintances describe Shimelis as a man who never wavered in his willingness to help. Even when posted as an Ambassador to India, he prioritised connecting families back home with life-saving medical and humanitarian resources. For Shimelis, no problem seemed too mundane to tackle if it could alleviate someone’s anxiety or distress.

Yayehyirad Eshetu recalled discussing the possibility of sending his father for treatment to India with classmates in the Indian Community School. Upon learning of the issue from his son, Lealem, Shimelis himself promptly reached out to the Eshetu family. He provided a list of reputable hospitals and facilitated communication through fax, demonstrating that no request was too small or cumbersome to him.

“His generosity knew no bounds,” said Yayehyirad, describing the reassurance Shimelis’s help offered at a critical time.

Such acts earned Shimeles the admiration of countless individuals, many of whom recall him with gratitude and affection.


Honesty and dedication were qualities that deeply appealed to him. He sought out people he could trust, forging bonds that emphasised integrity and collaboration. His work with the Ethiopian Red Cross, where he served as president for eight years, and with the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies as vice president, broadened his reach in humanitarian efforts. He was honoured with the Henry Dunant Medal, along with several other accolades, cementing his stature in the global humanitarian community.

During his later years, he continued to champion worthy causes by helping establish and lead organisations such as the Ethiopian Heritage Trust and the Addis Abeba Pensioners’ Association. Through these initiatives, he remained a public servant in the broadest sense, engaging citizens of different ages and backgrounds.

Shimelis died on December 24, 2024, at the age of 89. Colleagues and friends paid tribute to his decades of service, bemoaning that his life’s work never received the full scope of formal recognition that many believed it deserved, bar the recognition Jimma University bestowed on him. However, those who understood the importance and scale of his contributions stood by to honour him as he was laid to rest at Holy Trinity Cathedral Church. His funeral was a moment of collective remembrance, a reminder of how one individual’s quiet dedication could shape many lives.

Born in Jijiga, in the Somali Regional State, to Adugna Kasa and Muluemebet Haile Selassie, Shimelis spent part of his early life displaced by the Italian invasion. He spent five years in exile in Kenya before returning to Harer Medhanealem School and later moving on to Wingate School. He excelled academically, a pattern that continued at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India, where he studied Social Service Administration and was named student of the year. From there, he went to England to complete a diploma in Hospital Administration through the King Edward Memorial Fund.

Despite his serious responsibilities, Shimelis displayed a keen sense of humour. Friends recall his knack for injecting lightness into tense situations. One longtime friend, Yemane Bisrat, knew him for over 50 years and remembers how Shimelis, though he held high government positions, personally followed up on the construction of his house next door. Such unassuming kindness, Yemane said, was typical of Shimelis’s approach to public service.

Their friendship remained close for over the decades. Yemane recalled how Shimelis once stepped in to lead the delegation of elders when Yemane’s son sought his future in-laws’ blessing for marriage. Customs often dictated that these elders return multiple times before receiving approval, but the parents granted permission immediately upon recognising Shimelis. At the subsequent ceremony, butter was to be placed upon the elders as a symbol of blessing. Sensing hesitation among his peers, Shimelis volunteered to receive the anointing alone.

“It's a moment that will stay with me,” Yemane said, describing how Shimelis used humour and grace to ease everyone else’s concerns.

In the rare moments when he could rest, Shimelis found simple joys in sports and gardening. He enjoyed tennis, played football when he could, and took pride in growing flowers. Gardening contests became a hobby, and he nurtured his plants with as much care as he dedicated to his humanitarian efforts.



PUBLISHED ON Jan 25,2025 [ VOL 25 , NO 1291]


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