The Government of Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and recovery in Northern Ethiopia by providing approximately $3 million through a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The funds will support local authorities in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions, which were significantly impacted by the recent conflict.
The contribution is part of Japan's support for UNDP's multi-partner Peace Support Facility, aimed at assisting communities in rebuilding governance structures and essential services. Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, SHIBATA Hironori, emphasized his government's dedication to achieving sustainable peace. "The Government of Japan has provided this support for the Peace Support Facility to facilitate the quick recovery of communities," he stated. "I have observed the strong initiative taken by regional government officials, with the support of UNDP, as they diligently work to reconstruct people’s lives to the standard of the pre-conflict period."
The Japan-funded peace support activities have already made significant strides in restoring vital infrastructure. This includes the rehabilitation of 190 government and justice offices, 64 schools, 22 healthcare facilities, and 127 water schemes across the affected regions. Furthermore, the interventions have focused on revitalizing livelihoods, with particular attention paid to supporting vulnerable groups such as women, youth, people living with disabilities, and internally displaced persons returning to their homes.
Samuel Doe, UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative, highlighted the crucial role of Japan's contribution. "The Government of Japan’s contributions to the Peace Support Facility have been invaluable in advancing peacebuilding and recovery efforts in Ethiopia," he said. "These resources are directly impacting the lives of millions, empowering communities to rebuild and move forward with renewed hope."
In a practical move to enhance operational capabilities on the ground, Japan has also provided 12 motorbikes and three cars to strengthen the capacity of regional Recovery and Reconstruction Offices (RROs), local police forces, and Woreda administrations. The official handover of the motorbikes took place in Addis Ababa, with representatives from the Amhara Bureau of Finance and the Afar Recovery and Reconstruction Office in attendance.
Japan's ongoing collaboration with UNDP in areas such as disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR), national dialogue, and broader peace support initiatives underscores its strong dedication to fostering peace, stability, and inclusive development throughout Ethiopia. This latest contribution will be instrumental in helping the conflict-affected regions of Northern Ethiopia recover and rebuild stronger.