ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh stated that the country is working to meet its humanitarian needs through its own capacity.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, this statement was made while chairing a regular meeting of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council, attended by regional presidents, mayors, ministers, and heads of various institutions. Temesgen, who is also the chairman of the council, said a new policy has been implemented to enhance Ethiopia’s disaster risk management and enable the nation to address humanitarian needs independently. He emphasized the need to build self-reliance in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, ensuring that planned activities are implemented systematically.

Temesgen expressed confidence that favorable conditions exist for Ethiopia to manage disasters through its own capacity. He cited the outcomes achieved in areas like the Green Legacy Initiative and wheat and rice cultivation as encouraging signs since the reform began. However, he underlined that a cultural shift is necessary to overcome aid dependency and meet needs independently, prioritizing development.

Disaster Risk Management Commissioner Shiferaw Teklemariam added that the new policy intends to mitigate disasters, which are becoming more complex, through the country’s own capacity. Key tasks under the policy include risk reduction, improved preparedness, resource mobilization, and developing self-sustainability in delivering humanitarian assistance.