Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith has visited several humanitarian programs in Ethiopia where significant Australian assistance is providing essential relief.
This included seeing World Food Programme (WFP) work first hand at its sites outside of Addis Ababa, the Nazareth Logistics Hub and Nazareth Urban HIV/AIDS Food Distribution Projects. Australia is a long standing supporter of the WFP, having contributed more than $15 million to its operations in Ethiopia since 1999, including $5 million last year. In response to a request from WFP for Australian logistical support, AusAID will provide funding for an Australian logistics manager for the first quarter of this year.
Mr Smith also visited World Vision's Agricultural Technologies Project, which introduces farmers to intensive farming techniques and better alternatives for basic food production and preparation, and announced the Government will provide World Vision Australia with $300,000 for their continued work in Ethiopia.
Also as part of the visit, Mr Smith met with Dr Catherine Hamlin, co-founder of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, at the Hamlin Midwifery College. Australia has supported the hospital since 1984 and has helped extend its services to rural locations. The Australian Government will provide an additional $2.3 million to fund the expansion of the college and support 25 rural maternal health clinics in Ethiopia.
For more information:
Media Release - Visit to Ethiopian Humanitarian Assistance Program
Transcript - Visits to World Food Programme, World Vision and Hamlin Fistula Projects
Media Release - Australia Provides Humanitarian Assistance to Ethiopia and Sudan