By Goshu Melisew
The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has donated 7,850 radios to six regions in Ethiopia on behalf of the Yonsei Global Health Center (YGHC). This donation is part of the "Smart, Happy, and Prosperous Family Project in Ethiopia" (SHAPE 2), which aims to improve awareness and knowledge about population and reproductive health in remote areas.
Cho Han Deog, KOICA's Country Director for Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of this donation in transforming lives and building a brighter future by empowering families to make informed health decisions. He cited a survey revealing significant information gaps in rural communities. According to the survey, 91% of rural residents lacked access to newspapers or magazines, while 52.1% did not listen to the radio. Furthermore, 69.4% did not watch television, and 57.5% had not heard about family planning on the radio.
To address these challenges, KOICA is providing not only radios but also four loudspeakers and generators to ensure remote communities can access essential reproductive health information.
Representatives from Oromia, Amhara, South Ethiopia, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, Somalia, and the cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa were present to receive the equipment. They noted that the donation is expected to have a significant impact on the livelihoods and health of these communities.
This initiative underscores KOICA's commitment to improving access to vital health information in Ethiopia's rural areas, potentially leading to better-informed decisions about reproductive health and family planning. By providing these communication tools, KOICA aims to bridge the information gap and empower rural communities with knowledge that can positively influence their health choices and overall well-being.