U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Massinga yesterday traveled to Shire, Tigray Region, to visit U.S. Government humanitarian programs and to assess the situation for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region.
As the United States reorganizes its foreign assistance management, the U.S. remains the single largest donor of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia. Ambassador Massinga’s visit demonstrated the U.S. Government’s continued commitment to efficiently deliver lifesaving aid to Ethiopia, simultaneously strengthening and securing the United States and Ethiopia.
The Ambassador visited the Fre Siweat and Mai Dimu IDP sites, where he was able to witness the distribution of food assistance and the provision of health services. The Ambassador also had an opportunity to talk firsthand to people living at these sites, and better understand what life is like for them there. The Ambassador also held a meeting with humanitarian assistance partners to discuss their ongoing work.
While humanitarian assistance currently meets emergency needs, the Ambassador recognizes that ultimately only a political solution will allow IDPs to return home. To that end he held a series of meetings with local leadership on ensuring the full implementation of the COHA.
During his conversations with regional officials and U.S. partners, the Ambassador emphasized the assistance must reach the people who need it—not just in Shire, but across the region and the country. He also expressed his gratitude to U.S. partners for their continued hard work on behalf of the American people and in support of Ethiopia.