The Republic of Korea officially handed over more than 13,000 metric tons of rice to the World Food Programme (WFP) in Ethiopia to provide lifesaving food assistance to refugees. The rice, intended for 289,000 refugees in camps located in the Somali and Afar regions, is part of an ongoing international effort to support Ethiopia’s large refugee population, which exceeds 1 million.
The handover ceremony took place at the WFP warehouse in Adama, with key officials in attendance. Among them were Mr. Jung Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia, Mrs. Teyeba Hassen, Director General of the Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS), and Mr. Zlatan Milišić, WFP Ethiopia Representative and Country Director.
The donation is expected to alleviate the immediate food shortages faced by refugees, many of whom come from conflict-stricken regions in neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea. Despite ongoing support from the Ethiopian government and international agencies, refugees in the country continue to experience significant challenges due to limited funding and a lack of sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, representatives from the Ethiopian government and WFP expressed their deep gratitude to the Republic of Korea for the generous contribution. Ambassador Jung Kang emphasized Korea’s commitment to supporting humanitarian causes, while Ethiopian counterparts highlighted the critical role of such partnerships in sustaining refugee communities in Ethiopia.
The rice donation will be distributed across 24 refugee camps in Ethiopia, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive vital nutritional support in the coming weeks.