THE FUGNANBIRA COMMUNITY GROUP ASSOCIATION
Email. Fugnanbira@rogers.com Web. www.fugnanbira.com

Gursum Community Diaspora met with the
Ethiopian Government Officials

The attendees of this meeting were;

His Excellency Murad Abdulhadi (Harari Regional State President)
Hon. Ragasa Kefale (Hararge Regional vice President).
Counselor Abdurahim Mohammed Ali (Ethiopian Embassy to Canada)

Gursum community leader Mr. Meftuh Shash on his speech;

Further to a brief introduction to the striving Gursum Community Diaspora and its objectives, Mr. Meftuh Shash expressed that “The Fugnanbira Community Group Association feels morally responsible and politically correct to elevate the awareness of Government officials, Technocrats, International NGO’s and the general public on the existing status of hydrological imbalance that accounted for the demise and misery of many innocent souls in Eastern Ethiopia and particularly Eastern Hararge Region (Gursum)”.

Mr. Meftuh Shash was referring to the “Socio-economic challenges and restoration for sustainable watershed management in Gursum, Eastern Hararge Region.” http://www.wscsd.org/ejournal/article.php3?id_article=232 a study report by Mr. Shawel Bertu, who is also a member of the Community Group and currently pursuing for PhD in `International Environmental Economics` at Tokyo University in Japan.

The objective of Mr. Bertu’s study was:

• To investigate the state of forest and availability of water in the area
• To assess the major causes of deforestation and it relation with available water
• To assess people’s perception of the watershed
• To evaluate conservation effort underway and recommend possible alternatives

Mr. Meftuh Shash stated that, “as can be discerned from Mr. Bertu’s analysis, deforestation is rampant and unchallenged, alternative use of energy (biomass) is far from the horizon, People’s awareness with respect to Natural Conservation Studies is so insignificant, biophysical implication of lack of educating and other significant components were not dealt with rationally and henceforth a collapse of an entire socio-economic studies or irreparable National Disaster is may be eminent.”

Mr. Meftuh Shash also urged the government both on the Federal, Regional and at local levels to study and look in to strategically crafted report by Mr. Shawel Bertu and similar other documents released by FAO, World Bank, UNDP.. etc. and workout the means and ways of alleviating the water shortage in the region since access to clean water is not a privilege, it is a necessity.

The Fugnanbira Group also asked the Harar Region leaders about an investment in the region and the cooperation of local authorities to facilitate the required elements for those who would like to return and succeed in venture back home.

The Harari Regional State President, His Excellency Murad Abdulhadi on his part:

• “The water supply and environmental problems in our region has been always a serious concern and a primary issue for our entire region. Our government has been working on this for quite sometime. We are working with all regions administrations at all level together collectively to alleviate such problems.” He also expressed that he is impressed with Gursum Community Diaspora taking such initiatives and preparing such remarkable development project and presenting it to the government. His Excellency Murad also encouraged the community leaders to continue their effort in doing so to help the country and also consider investing in ventures in the region. Further more, Mr. Murad invited Gursum Community to participate at the 12th annual Harari Sport & Cultural Festival to be hosted by Harari Government in 2007. This event is also to be considered to address further any development and political issues as well.

The Hararge Region Vice President, Honorable Ragasa Kefale on his part:

• “Currently we have problems of water supply in Harar Region and a major project is underway to supply water 70 km away from the region which is approximately 50% completed. The water supply from this resource is projected for 20 years, however, we believe without water conservation and watershed management this may not be sustainable as projected. Henceforth, now we have the resources and will consider studying the report and implementing this project for sustainable development.” Mr. Ragasa Kefale also mentioned his tour of watershed management practice in Canada and fascinated by their development. Mr. Ragas Kefale also highly commended the organization’s effort in preparing such a remarkable development report and confirmed that he will personally deliver and address this important issue to his local officials to seriously study the report and improve Gursum environment.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Canada, Counselor Abdurahim Mohammed Ali on his part:

• He expressed his regrets of the Ethiopian Ambassador’s absence due to unexpected illness and confirmed that the report is vital for development and will be delegated to the appropriate administrations to study the project. Counselor Abdurahim Mohammed also mentioned the double digit growth in farming sector in Ethiopia and such watershed management is vital and will further assist enhancing such development. Further more Mr. Abdurahim expressed that the Fugnanbira Community Group Association Diaspora’s activity and its objectives in assisting its community and our country’s development is commendable and supported by our federal government policy as well. Mr. Abdurahim Ali also recalled the organization’s relation with the Ethiopian Embassy and appreciated the Fugnanbira Community Diaspora’s concern and action of condemnation last year November 2005, when anti peace elements violently disrupted Ethiopia in attempt to dismantling the constitution and overthrow the government. Mr. Abdurahim Ali also encouraged the community leaders to continue their tireless effort to succeed their objectives and be seen as a model organization in Diaspora.

At the end of the meeting Gursum community leader Meftuh Shash appreciated the leaders for attending the meeting and highly welcomed the outcome of the discussion. Further more, Mr. Meftuh Shash handed out a gift of T-Shirt with the organization logo expression of “UNITY IS STRENGTH”.

Released by: The Fugnanbira Community Group Association.