ADDIS ABABA — The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs) announced the official approval of the second phase of the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project today, which aims to enhance the livelihoods of 3 million people across seven regions and the Dire Dawa city administration.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, this five-year flagship project, set to begin in June 2024 and conclude in 2029, has been allocated a substantial $424 million in funding. The World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are the primary contributors, offering $340 million and $80 million respectively. An additional $4 million is earmarked for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises within the project’s scope.
Building on the successes of its first phase, the project's continuation will involve close collaboration with various government ministries to ensure effective implementation. A recent steering committee meeting focused on assessing the outcomes of the initial phase and setting strategic objectives for the upcoming phase. Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, Abraham Belay, emphasized the importance of on-the-ground assessments to gather direct feedback from beneficiaries to inform future actions.
Minister Belay highlighted the project's inclusive approach, urging all participating government institutions to take their roles seriously to ensure successful outcomes. He remarked on the necessity of a participatory, coordinated effort to maximize the project’s impact on Ethiopia's lowland communities, which face unique challenges such as climate vulnerability and economic instability.
The initiative is part of Ethiopia's broader efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and economic growth while improving resilience to climate change. A memorandum of understanding was signed between MILLs and the collaborating ministries and institutions to ensure seamless execution of the project, which will affect an estimated 3 million people from 120 Woredas.
The steering committee meeting also saw participation from high-level government officials, including Labor and Skills Minister Muferiat Kamil, Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa, Agriculture State Minister Fikru Regasa, a representative from the Ministry of Finance, and Ethiopian Meteorological Institute Director-General Fetene Teshome, underscoring the project’s wide-ranging governmental support.