United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk Visits Key Trading Partner Ethiopia (08/08/09)

From left to right Ms. Florizelle Assistant STR for Africa; Ambassador Ronald Kirk; MS. Carol Guthrie, Assistant for Public & Media Affairs; Mr. Michael C.Gonzales, Chargé d‘ Affairs

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk paid a three day working visit to Ethiopia. Ambassador Ron Kirk met and held talks with Ethiopian government officials including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He also met with representatives of the private sector and visited several industries. During a briefing he gave to journalists today at the conclusion of his visit to Ethiopia Ambassador Kirk said, “I am here because Ethiopia is a key U.S. trading partner in Africa.  I am also here because Ethiopia’s story is emblematic of U.S. engagement with all of Africa on trade and development.  We have seen progress.  Our countries have a robust trade relationship.  AGOA is a huge part of that.   Ethiopia is doing particularly well under AGOA.  Exports more than doubled from 2007 to 2008. Ethiopia is diversifying exports.  And we can see the fruits of U.S. efforts to build trade capacity here.  Yet, challenges remain.”  (more)

African Diaspora Marketplace Program Receives 733 Business Plan Proposals for Economic Growth in African Communities (08/13/09)

Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colo.. – The inaugural African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) closed its call for proposals and has exceeded expectations by collecting 733 business proposals.  The ADM is a business entrepreneurship program fostering economic development ideas from U.S.-based African Diaspora to create plans for sustainable start-up and established businesses in 19 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.  A collaboration between Western Union and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the ADM aims to leverage the know-how and commitment of Diaspora communities to help address poverty and unemployment issues in the region. (more)

U.S. Embassy Provides Grants for Cultural Preservation in Harar (06/25/09)

Public Affairs Counselor Michael McClellan (C) addresses guests at the signing ceremony.

On Thursday, June 25, the U.S. Embassy and the Harari Culture, Tourism, and Information Bureau, signed two agreements on cultural preservation in Harar. Signatories for the two organizations were Mr. Michael McClellan, Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, and Mr. Yimaj Idris, Head of the Bureau. The event took place at the Teferi Mekonnen Palace in the Jugol area of Harar. Representing U.S. Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, Mr. McClellan signed the first grant from the U.S. State Department’s ‘Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation’, which provides USD $35,000 to preserve the Teferi Mekonnen Palace. (more)

First Private Health Sector Exhibition Held in Addis  (06/05/09)

Partial view of the Private Health Sector Exhibition

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009 (Addis Ababa) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Banking on Health Project, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is sponsoring today the first ever national Private Health Sector Exhibition in Ethiopia.  Following the theme of “Strengthening and Growing Private Practices in the Fight Against TB & HIV/AIDS”, the exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for nearly 200 representatives of private health clinics, hospitals, supply companies, and financial institutions to meet and share information in support of the growth of a high quality, affordable private health sector responsive to the needs of Ethiopians. (more)

Innovative Program Fills Health Care Void

Rahel Terefe (r) is part of a movement of health officers being trained to help fill the void of health care professionals in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia faces a chronic shortage of human resources in the health sector.  Those in the health sector struggle with alarming health conditions.  The country has one of the highest newborn mortality rates in the world.  One in six children dies a preventable death before they reach the age of five.  Acute lack of access to health care has been leading many Ethiopians of all ages to die of common illnesses, leaving the life expectancy at only 41 years.

Since 1997, the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative (EPHTI) has helped to address these alarming health issues through a landmark partnership between the Government of Ethiopia, seven Ethiopian universities, 21 Ethiopian hospitals, The Carter Center, and USAID.  The initiative is making a true difference in the delivery of health care in Ethiopia.   By enhancing the quality of pre-service training for health staff, more and more Ethiopians are receiving better health care services. (more)