ETHIOPIA -A New Way Of Life On The Dawa - Oxfam

A New Way Of Life On The Dawa - YouTube: ""

A new way of life in Ethiopia

By Oxfam

Imagine if the lifestyle your family had led for generations was on the verge of extinction. Would you cling determinedly to the old ways or would you bite the bullet and make whatever changes were necessary to survive?

Herding families in the southern Ethiopian village of Melka Guba were forced to make this decision. Years of relentless drought had made it difficult for them to earn a living from their livestock, and they found themselves facing a classic do-or-die scenario. While they were reluctant to give up their livestock — the more animals you own, the more prestige you have — their futures depended on it.

So they agreed to take a risk and try a new approach: irrigated farming. With Oxfam’s help, 201 households are now tapping the Dawa River for water. And the risk is paying off. Of course, as this video points out, true change takes time, but even from the first harvest — “all green and beautiful,” as Oxfam’s Tita Mekonnen describes it — their new farming venture heralds a bright future for this courageous community.

One of the villagers in his new maize field. Photo: Oxfam

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Tags: African food crisis, agriculture, Ethiopia, livelihoods

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ETHIOPIA: Medrek says ETV documentary ‘untruthful’ » Ethiopian News - Everything that Happens!

Coalition of opposition parties known as ‘Medrek’ says recent Ethiopian Television documentary that disproves BBC’s report on the handling of drought in the nation is not based on truth.

The party in its press conference on Friday said those persons interviewed on BBC earlier have changed their words because the government has enticed them with money to do so.

The Ethiopian Radio and Television Public Relations office for its part stated Medrek’s statement shows the usual disrespect the party has for persons who give truthful information.

Medrek also said individuals are labeled as terrorists because of their political attitude.

The party asked for the release of all those who are arrested in connection with terrorism including two Swidish journalists who entered the country with the Ogaden National Liberation Front- a group named terrorist by House of People’s Representatives.

It is to be recalled that the Central Information and Crime Intelligence Directorate with the Federal Police disclosed recently that it has adequate evidence on those suspects arrested for taking part in terrorist acts.