His Excellency Dr. Eng. Negash Wagesho, the Deputy President of the Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Region, warmly received His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Chair of Hailemariam & Roman Foundation, and his delegation, in his office on 26 December 2022. The conversation centered on the HRF projects being carried out in the Regional State. The discussions between the two parties were cordial and quite productive.
In his briefing, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn highlighted a number of initiatives being carried out in the West Omo Zone of the Regional State with the goal of ensuring socio-economic transformation of the most underprivileged communities with the vision of seeing a healthy and economically empowered community in a well-conserved environment.
H.E. Hailemariam further explained that projects will be designed and implemented to ensure the benefit of the local community members in the forest and protected areas by doing community-centered development activities to protect the forest lands, protected areas and keep them sustainable.
Her Excellency Roman Tesfaye, the former First Lady of Ethiopia and CEO of the HRF, also emphasized the HRF’s commitment to further strengthen the initiatives being undertaken on the two programs, notably the Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health and Nutrition (MNCH) Program and the Women & Youth Economic Empowerment Program.
On his part, the Deputy President of the Southwest Ethiopia Peoples’ Region, Region Dr. Engineer Negash Wagesho appreciated the foundation’s plan to work on forests and protected areas in the region. He said it is commendable that the foundation supports the low-income communities in the region.
Finally, Dr. Engineer Negash stated that the Regional Government will offer the required assistance for any projects the foundation undertakes.
Hailemariam & Roman Foundation
December 2022, Bonga_ Southwest Ethiopia Regional State