Addis Ababa, June 4, 2024 (Addis Walta) Japanese Government donated $ 6.7 million USD to support the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process in Ethiopia.
The fund will be available through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-managed multi-partner program assisting the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) in its demobilization and reintegration mission of ex-combatants.
Japanese ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Shibata Hironori, and UNDP’s Resident Representative for Ethiopia Samuel G. Doe signed the agreement at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in the attendance of NRC Deputy Commissioner Tesfalem Yihdego, and MoF State Minister Semereta Sewasew.
The fund will be used to procure equipment, and training to improve the operational capacity of the commission to demobilize former combatants, according to MoF.
The DDR is one of the key mission the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) of Ethiopia was established in November 2022.
The program, which is supported by multiple partners including Japan and the EU, is a key part of the Pretoria Peace Agreement.