The Rt. Hon Hilary Benn MP, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, has reaffirmed the pledge by the British Government to help the people of Ethiopia in their fight against poverty. Mr Benn, who was speaking at press conference in the British Embassy after his meeting with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa on Wednesday 18^th January, said the UK “is fully committed to supporting the people of Ethiopia in their fight against poverty...” and was “...looking with other donors at how we can provide support to the poorest in other ways.”

“I saw for myself this morning how successful the Productive Safety Net Programmes is, including the help it is giving in drought-affected areas,” he continued, referring to his visit to Arba Minch in southern Ethiopia, where he was able to see the impact the nationwide safety-net programme is having on improving the lives of nearly 5 million people.

“We are looking with government and other donors to develop a new Protection of Basic Services Grant to deliver education, health and water to the poor. This would mean tighter financial reporting and stronger local accountability so that the funds reach the poorest people.”

During his visit, Mr Benn also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Meles, members of the opposition and representatives of international NGOs and aid donors.

When asked about the recent events in the country, Mr Benn repeated his belief that the only way forward is “through inclusive political dialogue, and the continuation of the democratisation process which we are ready to support.”

ENDS

Note

The safety-net programme, which has the backing of DFID and other multinational donors, is the mechanism developed by the Ethiopian government to encourage the move from food aid to more development-orientated investment. It aims to reduce vulnerability and attain food security for approximately five million food insecure people by 2009 through replacing emergency responses to chronic food insecurity with a multi-annual, predicable resource. By providing cash transfers rather than food, the programme will enable smallholders to increase consumption and investment levels and stimulate the further development of rural markets.