So enjoyable our projects – so sad that the war is dragging on!
By the end of November, the planting reports had arrived from all three project regions (Oromia, Amhara, Sidamo) in which we were able to continue work normally in 2021: we have planted over 9.3 million trees. A very gratifying number of trees in a difficult year with a COVID pandemic, Locust plagues and war in the north of Ethiopia. But above all it is an extraordinary success for all of our project partners who have continued our projects so successfully despite the challenges with a lot of dedication, diligence and effort. We owe you our very big thanks, and also Ms. Alem Tsegaye, the head of our branch in Addis Ababa. She took on many of the tasks on site for us, and for example visited many projects until the end of November and came back with consistently good reports. Of course, there are also points that need to be adjusted, and in some cases improved, in the next year. In particular, she also addressed the importance of consistent protection of forests. And on the next trips we will again check the success of the protective measures very carefully. Incidentally, however, the seedlings thrive very well and this year, too, it is very clear how trees and forests can change and improve nature, how barren land can become green and fertile, and the farmers can look forward to newly gained cultivated land and higher yields. The springs that were created in areas that were planted a few years ago are particularly beautiful.
Two members of the Konicha youth group proudly show the healthy growth of «their» seedlings. At the foot of the Tero afforestation, new water sources are emerging Desta afforestation, left flank from 2018, right from 2021, and in the background the grain fields which achieve higher yields thanks to water and richer soil.
. . . always new repression – no peace yet
Together with allies from other regions, the Tigray troops are continuing to advance towards the capital Addis Ababa. The central government has declared a state of emergency and many cities are not allowed to go out at night. Occasionally aid deliveries reach the areas that have been cut off for months, but these are by no means sufficient to meet the need for food, medicine and other essential goods. The Minister-President, Abiy Ahmed, who became famous for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has been on one of the three front lines himself since the end of November 2021 and wants to lead the government troops to victory. All international calls for peace talks have so far been ineffective. We can only hope and pray that reason will soon prevail and that people who have been starving and suffering for months will soon be redeemed.
News December 2021
Dear donors, ladies and gentlemen
So enjoyable our projects – so sad that the war is dragging on!
By the end of November, the planting reports had arrived from all three project regions (Oromia, Amhara, Sidamo) in which we were able to continue work normally in 2021: we have planted over 9.3 million trees. A very gratifying number of trees in a difficult year with a COVID pandemic, Locust plagues and war in the north of Ethiopia. But above all it is an extraordinary success for all of our project partners who have continued our projects so successfully despite the challenges with a lot of dedication, diligence and effort. We owe you our very big thanks, and also Ms. Alem Tsegaye, the head of our branch in Addis Ababa. She took on many of the tasks on site for us, and for example visited many projects until the end of November and came back with consistently good reports. Of course, there are also points that need to be adjusted, and in some cases improved, in the next year. In particular, she also addressed the importance of consistent protection of forests. And on the next trips we will again check the success of the protective measures very carefully. Incidentally, however, the seedlings thrive very well and this year, too, it is very clear how trees and forests can change and improve nature, how barren land can become green and fertile, and the farmers can look forward to newly gained cultivated land and higher yields. The springs that were created in areas that were planted a few years ago are particularly beautiful.
. . . always new repression – no peace yet
Together with allies from other regions, the Tigray troops are continuing to advance towards the capital Addis Ababa. The central government has declared a state of emergency and many cities are not allowed to go out at night. Occasionally aid deliveries reach the areas that have been cut off for months, but these are by no means sufficient to meet the need for food, medicine and other essential goods. The Minister-President, Abiy Ahmed, who became famous for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has been on one of the three front lines himself since the end of November 2021 and wants to lead the government troops to victory. All international calls for peace talks have so far been ineffective. We can only hope and pray that reason will soon prevail and that people who have been starving and suffering for months will soon be redeemed.
Dr. Simon Pfister
Categories: General news, Newsletter