Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic News - IDPs in Amhara Region say “lift us from being aid dependant”
October 23, 2024
IDPs in Amhara Region called on authorities to help them become self-sufficient or else return them to their homes. The government on its end says it has completed studies to resolve problems facing the IDPs.
IDPs called on authorities to provide them long term solutions to achieve self-reliance
People who have been displaced from Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions to various shelters in Amhara Region over the past three years have expressed their discontent with staying in shelters and called on authorities to help them find work or else return them to their homes.
The IDPs said “the government should provide us a long term solution to become self-reliant”
Among the IDPs who said this was one located in Jari shelter in North Wollo Zone. According to the source over the past three years they have not received any tangible solution. And so they called for an opportunity to work in the area they are in, saying, “those who do business should do business, those who farm should farm, public workers should return to work.”
Regarding repatriation to their homes
The IDPs said if it is not feasible to live outside of assistance where they are, they wish to return to their homes. Another IDP from the Jara camp in South Wollo Zone on their end said the majority of IDPs wish to return to their homes. And otherwise others said it would be good if they could receive opportunities for work in Amhara Region.
One IDP who was displaced from the Wollega area over 3 years ago and is currently in the Mekane Selam area said it is unthinkable to return to their homes, and asked for authorities to facilitate a living for them in Amhara Region.
They said, “it would not be truthful to say the government could return us back there and look after our safety, we do not want to return there”, they explained if they were to receive a means of sustaining themselves in Amhara Region they could work and make a living just like anyone else.
“Help lift us from dependency”
One IDP currently in a shelter in Debre Birhan city in North Shewa Zone said, “help lift us from dependency”. This source called on authorities to help them on an individual level or as a group to sustain themselves.
An IDP in Abergele said, “even after reconciliation we have been unable to return to our homes.” One IDP who was displaced to Niruaq town from their home in a kebele in Abergele Woreda of Wag Hemra Zone due to conflict between the Agew Democratic Movement and the government in Amhara Region said, “though we were told we would return to our homes we are still facing problems.” Though the armed group had reportedly created peace with the government the IDP explained that they had still been unable to return to their home.
Regarding studies to provide them long term solutions to achieve self-reliance
The Amhara Region Emergency Prevention and Food Security Programs Coordinating Commision Commissioner Deacon Tesfaw Batabil was in transit and unable to provide an extensive interview but in short expressed that studies were done to provide lasting solutions for problems faced by IDPs.
As the commissioner said, “studies have been done on what are the options available to the IDPs? This has been studied jointly by non-government organizations, the study will soon be presented to the deputy regional president and translated to action.”
In Amhara Region, both man-made and natural causes have caused over two million people to be in need of assistance, according to information we received from the Amhara Region Emergency Prevention and Food Security Programs Coordinating Commission.
Alemnew Mekonnen
Shewaye Legesse
Mantegaftot Sileshi
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