Minister O'Donnell announces Ethiopia to receive largest Irish Aid budget allocation

Ethiopia to receive largest Irish Aid budget allocation

Ms. Liz O'Donnell. T.D., Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister, H.E. Ato Seyoum Mesfin today in Dublin to discuss Ireland's aid programme with Ethiopia.

"I was greatly heartened by our meeting. The Minister expressed his Government's sincere gratitude to Ireland. The Irish Aid Country Programme in Ethiopia is expected to spend about £9.3 million in 1997, making it the largest of our six priority country programmes (the other five priority countries being Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia). Our official Ethiopia Programme dates from only 1994, it has grown dramatically and with great effect."

"The budget for 1998 is expected to increase in line with the overall increases in Irish Aid's budget, with possibly as much as £12 million being allocated for Ethiopia for 1998. So Ethiopia will continue to receive the largest budget allocation of the Irish Aid Priority Country Programmes," said Minister O'Donnell.

"Central to the success of our development work in Ethiopia is the uniquely strong leadership shown by the Ethiopian Government on projects. Our Ethiopian Aid Programme is notable for its emphasis on national and community participation. From the outset the area based programmes have concentrated on community participation, partnership and local ownership. We focus on Basic Health, Primary Education and Water sectors. The work takes place in three different areas of Ethiopia, with a collective population of some 5.25 million."

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister's visit is part of a tour to a number of European capitals including Brussels and Amsterdam. Top