U.S. Ambassador Donald E. Booth Travels to Gambella

Gambella, January 13, 2012:  U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald E. Booth visited Gambella from January 11 to 13 to visit U.S. government supported projects in health and education, meet with local government officials, and discuss regional issues in Gambella such as commercial farming and regional development.  Ambassador Booth was accompanied by U.S. Agency for International Development Deputy Country Director for Ethiopia Jason Fraser and Mrs. Anita Booth.  The Ambassador has now visited every state at least once in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Booth visited U.S. government supported projects such as the Gambella Hospital which hosts a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program offering voluntary medical male circumcision as a HIV/AIDS prevention measure.  He also met with Pact Gambella to discuss their peace building and resource management program with the Godere forest management initiative.  The Ambassador’s trip included a visit to the Lulo Alternative Basic Education Center outside of Gambella town. 

In addition to visiting these U.S. supported projects, Ambassador Booth met with the Regional President of Gambella Omod Obang Olum and other regional officials.  Among other topics, they shared views on regional development and commercial farming issues with the Ambassador.    The Ambassador also visited area businesses and met with area UNICEF and UNHCR representatives.

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