Ambassador visits returnees, UK contributes nearly $1 million
Ambassador Greg Dorey visited the reception center receiving Ethiopian returnees deported from Saudi Arabia, as UK contributes $1 million
HMA Greg Dorey discussed with returnees
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, HE Greg Dorey, has visited today the reception centre that is accepting Ethiopian returnees being deported from Saudi Arabia at Bole International Airport.
The Ambassador has toured the reception centre and its various facilities, while he spoke with some of the returnees. The Ambassador was briefed by high level officials of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and local staff coordinating the reception centre about its operations and the wellbeing of returnees.
UK has contributed $1 million for Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF) and Central Emergency Response Fund (CERP) of International Organization of Migration (IOM). Though UK is the biggest contributor for the cause, IOM is still far short of the required funding, which secure only $3.7 million of the needed $15.6.
Speaking about the visit Ambassador Greg Dorey said:
“Today I was able to witness first-hand the enormous challenge the Government of Ethiopia is undertaking to try and help the extraordinary numbers of people who have returned from Saudi Arabia over the past few weeks. I am full of praise for the work of the International Organisation for Migration and others in trying to deal with this massive problem.
“We are extremely concerned about the welfare of the returnees, which is why the UK has contributed nearly $1million to the IOM through pooled humanitarian funds as part of the international support effort - we will be looking at other ways in which we can help the Government and the returnees as they seek to reintegrate back into life in Ethiopia. We encourage other donors to do all they can to plug the funding gap which exists.”