By: Goshu Melisew
KOICA, the Republic of Korea's development powerhouse, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Ethiopia's progress, pledging to support the nation's ambitious plans for a brighter future.
KOICA Ethiopia Country Director Han Deog Cho spotlighted four key country programs designed to enhance the nation's growth trajectory.
As the leading development cooperation agency of the Republic of Korea, KOICA has been instrumental in propelling Ethiopia's development agenda, aligning its efforts with the country's 10-Year Development Plan (2021-2030) and the Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER).
These initiatives are strategically crafted to bolster Ethiopia's climate resilience and industrial advancement, with a focus on four primary areas: Strengthening Manufacturing Capability, Improving Healthcare Services, Enhancing Climate Change Response, and Promoting Inclusive Social Integration.
He highlighted KOICA's commitment to supporting Ethiopia's industrialization efforts, particularly through agriculture-led industrial development, which aims to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities. Furthermore, he expressed KOICA's resolve to enhance the health sector by improving essential components such as leadership, service delivery, and medical technologies. Acknowledging the challenges posed by climate change, KOICA is actively engaged in promoting a green economy and restoring ecosystems, with particular emphasis on forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.
The organization is also dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including women, girls, and internally displaced individuals, through targeted social development and gender-based violence support initiatives. Han Deog Cho also underscored the significance of the World Friends Korea (WFK) volunteer program, which plays a vital role in KOICA's overall mission. In this context, Dereje Girma, Director of the Bilateral Cooperation Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, also shared his insights.
KOICA's assistance to Ethiopia encompasses a wide range of initiatives, providing substantial benefits through its diverse programs. The organization has played a crucial role in alleviating poverty and enhancing access to vital social services, including the establishment of schools, healthcare centers, and water supply systems. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic on volunteer placements, KOICA successfully resumed sending volunteers to Ethiopia in 2022, actively working to boost volunteer engagement in the health, education, and tourism sectors.