ETHIOPIAID….

This week we welcomed Sir Alec and Lady Reed back to Addis Ababa to mark the 25^th anniversary of #Ethiopiaid. Since it was established in the #UK in 1989, branches have also been opened in #Australia, #Canada and #Ireland. And some £30 million – around a billion Birr – has been donated to meet urgent needs in Ethiopia. Sir Alec and Lady Reed called on President Mulatu of #Ethiopia on Tuesday to brief him on the organisation.

Ethiopiaid stands out though the way it works with trusted partners here – the very best local charities working on poverty alleviation, healthcare and education – rather than sending out expensive expatriates who may not understand the situation on the ground as well as local people. Ethiopiaid has therefore been able to stay small, efficient and focussed, gaining valuable and relevant experience over many years of operation. Donors can be sure that their contributions target urgent needs on the ground and do not disappear into expensive overheads.

And in 25 years great things have been achieved through Ethiopiaid. 30,000 #Fistula patients have been treated; 35,500 disabled and at-risk youth provided with walking aids, skills training and surgery; 18,000 disadvantaged street children provided with access to education; over 400 Noma operations completed; and more than 1,000 elderly citizens provided with regular pensions. Larger-scale educational projects have been supported too, such as putting Addis Ababa University online.

Next year Ethiopia will meet at least 7/8 of the #MDGs. It’s a tremendous achievement, even if there is much more still to be done. Ethiopiaid are among those who have contributed to that achievement – making a significant difference in all the local areas they support. I look forward to Ethiopiaid’s continuing contribution to Ethiopia’s future as long as there are people here who need their well-targeted help.