The Financial Times published an article written by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany, and co-authored by four leaders including President Sahle-Work Zewde of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Read the article here: https://www.ft.com/content/c0178836-7274-11ea-90ce-5fb6c07a27f2

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed held phone talks with Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of EU Commission.

The Prime Minister said on Twitter that they discussed challenges faced due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The High Representative for his part said “EU is preparing a significant support package for Africa. Priority is to sustain health systems, national budgets, and regional coordination.”

The Ethiopian Prime Minister also held a discussion yesterday (March 30th) with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on garnering international support for Africa’s fighting against coronavirus (COVID-19).

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has held virtual discussion with leaders of IGAD member states on regional response to curb the spread of COVID19.

During the discussion “we noted the importance of collective leadership as a means of withstanding the challenges COVID19 is posing globally,” he said on Twitter.

“Individually we are not well prepared to overcome the consequences of the virus on our health systems and the long term impact on our economies,” he added.

“Our burgeoning industries, like tourism, are being impacted already,” he noted.

“Therefore, seeking support together, providing needed materials that each of us have an advantage over, and exchanging experiences closely, is vital to our survival,” he underscored.

“The economic progress that each of our countries has made is at risk and the only way we can overcome is through collective leadership and coordinated responses.”

The Prime Minister reiterated the need to remain hopeful and consciously work together.

In an interview with ‘The Reporter’ published on March 28th, Dr. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy talked about the tripartite meetings that ended up witnessing the arrival of parties as observers-turned-mediators. He also explained Ethiopia’s schedule to fill the reservoir and generate electricity. He said: “Water storage is expected to begin by the coming rainy season, in the months of July and August.” “With the stored amount of water, we will start generating and commissioning two turbines by February and March of next year,” he added. Click here for more: https://bit.ly/3dFw6Ms

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has announced additional measures to halt the spread of coronavirus virus (COVID-19).

The following are the additional key measures taken by the Government:

1. As of this afternoon (March 27th), recent arrivals to Addis Ababa who cannot afford to be quarantined in the various hotels identified will be transferred to Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) for the 15 days mandatory quarantine period upon arrival.

2. Two-week extension of school closures as of today, including higher learning institutions.

3. Strict adherence to social distancing protocols is expected within market areas and religious establishments. The Federal Government has been granted a constitutional mandate to halt religious gatherings in times of grave national emergencies. But before enacting these constitutional measures, it once again appeals to all citizens that they are practicing social distancing protocols.

4. Calls upon all retired and in-training medical professionals to prepare for national duty if the situation warrants such extra support.

5. More than 134 facilities have been identified for quarantine, isolation, and treatment but with varying levels of equipment. Therefore, the government calls upon all citizens to strengthen the efforts of the national resource mobilization committee which is in the process of finding materials like beds, mattresses, bedsheets, ventilators and other medical and non-medical supplies.

6. The macro-economic sub-committee has been undertaking dialogue with key industry stakeholders in various sectors to craft a way forward in safeguarding the economy. As a result, the following measures will also be undertaken to stabilize the economy:

• Tax exemption for the import of materials and equipment to be used in the prevention and containment of COVID-19.
• National Bank of Ethiopia to avail 15 billion birr liquidity for private banks to enable them to provide debt relief and additional loans to their customers in need.
• Banks to avail foreign currency for importers primarily importing goods and input materials for the prevention of COVID-19.
• Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to increase the amount of money individuals can transfer through mobile banking, to limit in-person cash handling
• Removal of the minimum price set by the National Bank of Ethiopia on the horticulture sector for flower exports
• The Ministry of Revenue to expedite VAT returns to support companies with cash flows
• The Ministry of Trade and Industry to continue strengthening the measures it is undertaking to control price increments and supply shortages of consumer goods

The national resource mobilisation committee, which was established by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, has begun its work on March 26th.

The Committee is tasked with coordinating efforts of gathering financial and non-financial materials for coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency preparedness.

Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Peace and Chairperson of the Committee, said the national committee is comprised of 10 members and four sub-committees.

Members of the committee have stared their task by donating their one month salary to the national COVID-19 resource pool, she told journalists today.

In addition to the SMS system set up by Ethio-telecom, 13 bank accounts have been opened for any amount of donation. Another system has also been set up for non-financial materials contribution.

Muferihat finally called upon the people to contribute what they can in order to halt the spread of the virus.

Ethiopia has so far 12 confirmed cases.

President Sahle-Work Zewde has called upon the public to follow the advice given by the government to halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The government has been taking more measures to curtail the spread of the virus, she said.

It is the responsibility of everyone to directives given by the government as well as fight the virus without negligence, she said.

Stating the extent of spread of the virus is not yet known at a national level, the President called for coordinated efforts.

In order to reduce prison overcrowding and prevent the spread of COVID19, the President granted pardon to 4011 prisoners yesterday (March 25th).

Ethiopia has now 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The country closed schools and universities as well as ordered federal employees, except selected workers, to work from home, to control the spread of the virus.

According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, over 472,000 people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

More than 114,000 have recovered, while more than 21,000 people have died.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a national resource mobilisation committee tasked with coordinating efforts of gathering financial and non-financial materials for #COVID-19 emergency preparedness. While the government has allocated a significant budget and is mobilising resources to prepare for the worst case scenario, such periods require the effort and contribution of each individual. Our collective and concerted efforts to help one another in times of great need will be the only way we overcome.

Modeling the effort to ‘keep calm and contribute’ the national committee members have donated their one month salary to the National #COVID-19 resource pool.