The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) said it has been executing praiseworthy activities in providing humanitarian and emergency supports throughout the country.
While briefing journalists yesterday, ERCS Board President Dr. Ahmed Reja said that the Association has carried out successful activates in benefiting over one million people during January 2017 to March 2018.
Dr. Ahmed noted that the Association has been providing supplementary food and non-food items, focusing on particularly children under five years, and lactating and pregnant women in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Ethiopian Somali and SNNPR states.The Society has reportedly mobilized resources worth 7.57 million USD in the first quarter of 2018 to provide humanitarian assistance.
Furthermore, additional 223,635 peoples in the Afar, Oromia, Gambela and SNNPR states are benefiting from distribution of shelter and non-food items.
Meanwhile over 479,000 people in the Oromia, Ethiopian Somali and SNNPR states benefited from Wash Intervention Programs and Emergency Health Service provided to over 72,000 people in the states.
It was indicated that a total 326,755 USD was disbursed to support over 95,000 beneficiaries in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
Dr. Ahmed noted that the Society is engaged in various income generation activities to supplement the construction of its future headquarters and equip its services with modern ambulances and medicines, among others.
ERCS is also effectively utilized government subsidies and the support it has gained from fellow international humanitarian organizations, he added.
The President further pointed out that the future 30-storey headquarters is expected to play a meaningful role in enabling the Society to self-funded humanitarian activities and enhancing its operational capabilities.
Association Secretary General Frehiwot Worku said on her part that ERCS has been playing a pivotal role in providing humanitarian support and sheltering thousands of people displaced from their home in East Hararghe Zone of Oromia State.