Gondar May 11/2013

Debrebirhan May 07/2013 Expansion of the Debreberhan referral hospital in North Shoa Zone of Amhara State is being carried out with over 350 million Birr, hospital medical director, Dr. Fiseha Tadesse said. During a recent visit of Health Minister Dr. Keseteberhan Admassu to the hospital, the director said that the hospital has been giving services to the public for the last 76 years. Dr. Fiseha said the expansion work is aimed at providing improved health service to the increasing number of the public in the area.

The Somali Federal Government has started to rebuild municipal centers in Galgadud region in partnership with the pro-government Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a (ASWJ) militia. Local authorities will manage the day-to-day operations of the reconstruction projects under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior and National Security. Galgadud Governor, Ahmed Yusuf Hassan said the projects would cost $1.2 million, of which the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will cover $1 million and the additional $200,000 will come from the regional treasury.

EWR Directorate, DRMFSS, MoA www.dppc.gov.et

CLIMATE OUTLOOK FOR BELG 2013

• Near normal onset and cessation are expected over many portions of the country.

• Normal to below normal rains are expected over much of the northeastern portions of the country

• Moreover, below normal rainfall is expected to be more pronounced over the southeastern region, where Belg is the major rainy season.

Hossana April 22/2013 Construction of a safe water project in launched in Durame Town, Kembata Tembaro Zone of South Ethiopia Peoples' State at a cost of over 30 million Birr is well in progress, the zonal water, mines and energy department said. Department Head, Lulamo Sulamo told ENA over the weekend that the project includes, digging of four water wells and installation of water pipelines.

Addis Ababa April 17/2013 The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) announced that implementation of a project aimed at developing existing Africa's wheat and rice production potential is launched. The objective of the project being implemented since 2012 is to develop ways to enable the continent increase agricultural production. Institute Director-General, Dr. Solomon Assefa said the main aim of the project is to support ongoing efforts of the continent to improve supply of wheat to control existing global food price hike. Dr.

Hawassa March 27/2013 Some 46 of the 50 secondary schools launched in South Ethiopia Peoples' State with close to 153 million Birr have gone operational, the regional education bureau said. Bureau Head, Mohammed Ahmed told ENA that the regional government allocated the budget for construction of the schools. Mohammed said the schools are constructed in areas, which have no access to secondary and preparatory schools. The schools, which have already gone operational have enrolled more than 22,000 additional students.

Diredawa March 27/2013 Construction of safe water and sanitation project is launched in Diredawa Town with 570 million Birr, the town water and sewerage authority said. Authority representative, Solomon Fiseha told ENA on Wednesday the project will curb prevailing safe water shortage in the town. He said the project includes, among others, digging of 12 water wells and installation of water pipelines. Some 500 million Birr of the stated sum was secured from the World Bank while the town administration allocated 70 million Birr for implementation of the project.

Nekempt March 22/2013

A safe water project is being undertaken in Ayana Town of GidaAyana Woreda, East Wollega Zone of Oromia State with over 30 million Birr, the town water, mines and energy office said. Office Head, Berhanu Emiru said the project is being carried out with the budget allocated by the woreda and with the participation of the public. Berhanu said the project includes, among others, construction of water reservoir and 36 water distribution centers, The project expected to go operational within two years, will give service to more than 27,000 people, he said.