On May 30, 2024, Miroslav Kosek, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ethiopia, inaugurated the continuation of the Borana Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (BDRRR) Project. This project is a significant initiative aimed at alleviating the suffering and enhancing the resilience of the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Borana zone of the Oromia Regional State.

The Czech government has demonstrated its commitment to global humanitarian efforts by allocating a total of 165 million Czech korunas this year to save lives, alleviate human suffering, reduce vulnerability, and swiftly stabilize and strengthen the resilience of populations affected by disasters and conflicts worldwide. A portion of these funds is directed to Ethiopia, specifically to support the BDRRR project.

The Borana zone, home to approximately 1.7 million people, predominantly pastoralists, has been severely impacted by recurrent droughts, exacerbated by climate change. Over the past four years, five consecutive failed rainy seasons have led to the death of over 3.3 million livestock, severely disrupting livelihoods and forcing thousands to abandon their homes.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly to expand their partnership to strengthen epidemic and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in Africa.

United by a shared mission, the organisations will collaborate to boost regional vaccine research, development, and sustainable manufacturing leadership and capabilities in Africa, fostering a faster and more equitable response to emerging infectious diseases.

“The New Public Health Order calls to action to build resilient health systems capable of managing recurrent, high-impact infectious disease and outbreaks; an action-oriented partnership such as this is at the core,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC’s Director General. “This collaboration with CEPI in research, clinical trials, and local manufacturing of medical countermeasures will elevate Africa’s readiness against outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics, thus consolidating the continent’s preparedness far beyond where we were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

SITA, the global leader in technology for the air transport industry, launches SmartSea through an initial agreement with Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM), the world-class ship manager and maritime service provider. SmartSea is the industry’s first company with the power to reshape the maritime sector by facilitating access to the same advanced technology that has already transformed the air transport industry. At the same time, CSM becomes the first SmartSea client to exponentially upscale its operations through this cutting-edge technology.

With this strategic step, SITA is embedding its transformative footprint into the maritime industry, breaking boundaries and simplifying processes for more efficient and profitable operations across the entire value chain. 

With 75 years of experience, SITA serves 95% of international destinations in the air travel industry, and over 2,500 airlines, airports, ground handlers and governments all working closely with the company. More than 70 governments and all G20 nations trust SITA solutions, and 85% of international air passengers globally benefit from SITA digital border solutions. SITA’s undeniable role in transforming the air industry and shaping it into what it is now is the strongest proof of the value SITA can provide to the maritime sector.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of Canada launched the project entitled “Protecting the Dignity and Rights of Women and Girls in Ethiopia” in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

This 7 year project spanning the years from 2024 to 2030 has a total budget of CAD $65 million (ETB 2,706,898,454). The project will be implemented in 55 woredas across eight regions: Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, and Tigray. It aims to reach more than 1.5 million people with integrated services on gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health, indirectly benefiting a total of more than 4 million people in the targeted areas.

Joshua Tabah, Ambassador of Canada to Ethiopia, expressed, “This partnership with UNFPA underscores Canada’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in Ethiopia. We need to work together to break the cycle of sexual and gender- based violence.”