Condolences on Crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 (01/25/10)

Addis Ababa, January 25, 2010 – On behalf of the American people, the Embassy of the United States of America expresses our deepest condolences to the Ethiopian people on the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 409 this morning. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who were in this terrible accident.

Ethiopian Airlines is a demonstrated leader in safe and reliable civil aviation in Africa and internationally.  The Embassy and Government of the United States stand prepared to assist Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian and Lebanese officials to support the investigation into this tragedy.  (Visit EAL page for updates on the crash) -- e-mail us your comments --  

Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs María Otero Visits East Africa to Address Human Security Issues (01/22/10)

Under Secretary Otero will travel to East Africa January 25- February 1 to engage with governments and civil society on an array of global issues that address human security — from political and economic security to water, health and environmental security.

Under Secretary Otero will begin her trip in Kenya from January 26-28 to visit refugee camps in the Dadaab region near the Somali border.  She will also meet with government leaders and civil society groups addressing human rights, human trafficking and the environment.  On Thursday, January 28th, Under Secretary Otero will hold a Town Hall on youth and technology at Kenya Polytechnic University. From Kenya, the Under Secretary will travel to Kampala, Uganda on January 28 where she will hold bilateral meetings and participate in a roundtable discussion with human rights activists. (read more)  -- e-mail us your comments --

Presidential Proclamation -
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month (01/04/10)

The United States was founded on the principle that all people are born with an unalienable right to freedom -- an ideal that has driven the engine of American progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have known moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade.

Removal of HIV Entry Ban From Immigration Medical Screening (12/31/09)

Effective January 4, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection from the list of diseases that can keep people who are not U.S. citizens from entering the United States.  As of January 4, HIV testing will no longer be included in the medical exam required for U.S. immigrant visa applicants. CDC removed HIV infection as a communicable disease of public health significance due to current scientific knowledge of the disease.  HIV status was added to the U.S. regulations on visa eligibility in 1987, but since that time, much more has become known about HIV and how it is spread. (read more) -- e-mail us your comments --

PEPFAR/USAID Donates U.S. $8 million of Equipment to Improve Distribution of Medical Supplies (12/24/09)

Country Representative of MSH Dr. Negussu Mekonnen (R), USAID/Ethiopia Deputy Mission Director Ms. Nancy Estes (C), and State Minister Dr. Kebede Worku walking in fort of the donated delivery trucks during the handing over ceremony.

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Addis Ababa, December 24, 2009 - USAID’s Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project today donated U.S. $8 million in equipment, funded through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), to the Federal Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency (PFSA).  This equipment will help to strengthen public sector capacity to safely and efficiently distribute products for all health care programs, including HIV/AIDS, and will support the Ministry in implementing the National Pharmaceutical Logistics Master Plan. The donation consisted of 29 delivery vehicles, seven generators, ten lift trucks, 150 refrigerators, nine deep freezers, 100 cold boxes, a cold room of 824 cubic meters and 40 temperature loggers.  The donation also included 5,400 pallet racks and 1,320 adjustable shelves to be used in six existing warehouses and six temporary warehouses leased through PEPFAR/USAID. (read more) -- e-mail us your comments --

New Peace Corps Volunteers Begin Service in Ethiopia (12/18/09)

Peace Corps Volunteers pausing for a photo with Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi.

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Addis Ababa, December 18, 2009 – United States Chargé d’Affaires in Ethiopia Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi today swore-in 41 new Peace Corps Volunteers.  The forty-one Americans will spend the next two years as Community Health Volunteers in four regions in the country where they will focus on prevention of HIV/AIDS infection, care and support for those affected by the disease, and services in support of orphans and vulnerable children.

“What has sustained the long and vibrant relationship between the United States and Ethiopia is the partnership and mutual respect between our peoples.  Few other programs can rival the Peace Corps in its fostering of lasting and close human connections across cultures,” Dr. Mushingi told the crowd of over 200 government officials, local dignitaries, and former Peace Corps Volunteers during a ceremony at the American Embassy. (read more) -- e-mail us your comments --

U.S. Grants Foster Community Development and Self-reliance (12/15/09)

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi signing one of the Special Self-Help grants with Honorable Fatuma Abdella, Executive Director of Mahi Difu Child Care & Development Association.

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The Embassy of the United States of America pledged $90,000 in financial support today through the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program to eight projects initiated by Ethiopian communities, schools, and NGOs.  The Self-Help Program is a special source of support, allowing U.S. assistance to directly respond to needs at the community level, funding local initiatives that might otherwise not meet the criteria for traditional development assistance. “The community leaders you see here today are very important partners in our work to build a better, more prosperous tomorrow through grassroots development.  All of the selected projects exemplify the United States’ commitment to working with Ethiopian communities to promote self-reliance as well as to support local organizations in helping others to help themselves,” said United States Chargé d’Affaires in Ethiopia Dr. Tulinabo Mushingi at a private signing ceremony at the American Embassy today. (read more) -- e-mail us your comments --

U.S. Embassy and The Study Center Congratulate English Access Micro-Scholarship Students in Harar (12/12/09)

The English Access Micro-Scholarship graduates with Public Affairs Officer Alyson Grunder and The Study Center Director Ann Rispin.

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Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – On December 12 at the Harar Education Bureau Hall, 43 students were recognized for their completion of the English Access Micro-Scholarship Program, a supplemental English language program co-sponsored by The Study Center in Harar and the Embassy of the United States of America in Addis Ababa.  Since 2008, these 11th and 12th grade students have been complementing their studies at government high schools with approximately three hours per week of additional coursework at the Study Center.  The Study Center program focuses on English language instruction and practice, computing, entrepreneurship and life skills.  The ceremony at the Harar Education Bureau Hall was attended by a number of Education Bureau officials.  U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Alyson Grunder noted that the graduating students were the first students in Harar to receive the English Access Micro-Scholarships, a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department to promote English language learning in Ethiopia and many other countries. (read more)  -- e-mail us your comments --

U.S. URGES FURTHER ETHIOPIAN ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Addis Ababa, December 10, 2009 – The United States congratulates the Government of Ethiopia for its participation yesterday in the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in Geneva.  The United States has been a strong supporter of the UPR process and looks forward to the review in 2010 of its own record in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the United States. 

While recognizing the complex environment prevailing in many parts of Ethiopia, we commend the Government of Ethiopia for its declared commitments to promote and protect human rights.  We appreciate the Ethiopian Government’s willingness to consider country visits by UN Human Rights Council special rapporteurs and mandate holders, and note that the UN Special Rapporteurs on the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, on torture, and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, as well as the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention have outstanding visit requests. (read more)   -- e-mail us your comments --