The Government of Ethiopia said it has finalized preparations to welcome one million Ethiopians in the diaspora set to come home for the Ethiopian Christmas (Genna), which will be celebrated during the first week of January 2022.
The committee that was established to facilitate the Great Ethiopian Homecoming Challenge has announced that it has finalized preparations to welcome the massive influx of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia who are expected to take on the Great Homecoming Challenge.
In a meeting held on Wednesday Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, and Chair of the Committee, noted the encouraging response by people to accept the challenge.
The committee deliberated on measures taken to ease up the visa process, facilitate transportation and other relevant services and accommodations to make the event restful for the home comers.
The committee called upon Ethiopians in the Diaspora, people from Africa and the Caribbean region, including friends of Ethiopia from all over the world, to take on the challenge and show solidarity with the people of Ethiopia.
The committee has also revealed that Ethiopia will host various events to engage the Home Comers in the reconstruction process and peaceful protests against unnecessary external pressures on the country.
The Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio-telecom, private and government-owned hotels and other service giving institutions have already announced discounts on their services to make the challenge attractive to all.
The Great Ethiopian Homecoming Challenge aims to draw one Million people home ahead of the upcoming Christmas holiday.Reports show that most of Ethiopian Airlines flights to Addis Ababa are fully booked by the Ethiopians in the diaspora who accdepted the call of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to celebrate the Genna in Ethiopia.