Keeping Ethiopia, America and the World in Our Thoughts this Week

International news outlets have been flooded with news about ethnic based killings in Ethiopia. An incident this past Sunday left more than 50 civilians reportedly killed by armed and unarmed assailants who attacked an area of western Ethiopia known as Wollega. Additionally, a recent attack on a federal camp in northern Ethiopia was orchestrated by the regional government of Tigray less than 24 hours ago, thereby leading to Prime Minister Abiy declaring the need for military intervention. These incidents have understandably left the people of Ethiopia and the diaspora around the world in great shock to see the escalation of ethnic based violence in the nation.

The events of this week are unfortunately not one of a kind for Ethiopia in the last couple of months. According to Professor Senait Fisseha, Chief Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization, “Ethiopia has lost more people from ethnic and religious based targeted killings in the last ten months than from #COVID19.”

Despite the deep sadness that moments like this bring, WEEMA stands together with Ethiopia and its people in this difficult time. We have checked in with our team on the ground as well to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of everyone at this time. COVID isn’t the only pandemic that plagues Ethiopia and the world so long as we let hatred divide us to this extent.

During this critical week of Elections in the United States, we also keep America in our thoughts and prayers! Hope is the light that keeps on guiding us together as collective citizens of the world. So, today, we continue to hope! Hope for peace, health and betterment in the world.

Stay safe, stay well!