The U.S. 2014 Congressional Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes language that places restrictions on U.S. government assistance to Ethiopia, including in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley. To clarify, U.S. financial assistance has not in the past, nor is it now, being used to support resettlement programs anywhere in Ethiopia. Existing U.S. Government assistance programs in the region do exactly what Congress mandates – they support initiatives of the local communities to improve their livelihoods.
Ethiopia is an important and valuable ally of the United States. U.S. assistance to Ethiopia builds on a long-standing partnership to combat poverty, delivery quality basic public health and education services, and generate opportunities for private sector growth and sustainable economic development.
To learn more about USG development initiatives in Ethiopia, please go to http://www.usaid.gov/Ethiopia.
