The citizens of Ethiopia today celebrated the Downfall of the Derg Day which is observed to mark the end of the oppressive Derg Regime in May 28, 1991.
The National Day of Ethiopia remembers the collapse of the oppressive Derg regime. The regime governed the country from 1974 to 1991 and ousted Emperor Haile Selassie in 1975. The regime is reportedly characterized by the Ethiopian Civil War which lasted from 1974 to 1991.
The National Day of Ethiopia is a countrywide event where special speeches are delivered to show honor to the martyrs. The event is considered one of the most significant festivals in Ethiopia and is treated as work free.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sent her best wishes to the people of Ethiopia as they celebrate their national day this May 28th.
At DC, Ms. Clinton says the United States and the people of Ethiopia share a strong history as friends and partners.
Both countries are working to enhance food security, improve health services, strengthen education, promote trade, and expand development.
The United States applauds Ethiopia’s dedication to maintaining security in the region, including through important and effective peacekeeping missions in Sudan and South Sudan, Ms. Clinton underlined.
“I hope the coming year will yield a more vibrant civil society and private sector to help shape a brighter future for Ethiopia.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton stresses that the United States is committed to helping Ethiopia achieve a more peaceful and prosperous future for all its people, and we look forward to continuing to work together toward common goals in Africa and around the world.
“As you gather with family and friends to celebrate your national day, know that the United States stands with you.” -Ms. Clinton
On November 2006, the U.S. Air Force helped transport more than 80 metric tons of food and emergency relief supplies to flood victims in the ethnic Somali region of southeastern Ethiopia.
Working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules transport airplane carried more than 40 metric tons of relief supplies to the city of Gode, Ethiopia. The supplies came from sites in Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa run by Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency.
In 2006, flash flooding in the past two weeks caused the Shabele River to burst its banks in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, near the border with Somalia. The region was also hard hit by heavy rains in August.
Throughout Ethiopia, flooding has killed more than 630 people and taken a heavy toll on livestock and agriculture.
USAID provided $37 million in emergency food assistance to support World Food Programme operations in Ethiopia. The agency said the donation helped feed approximately 3 million people through December 2006.
