December 4, 2024. A delegation of Finnish Members of Parliament from the Development Policy Committee concluded a week-long visit to Ethiopia on November 30, gaining firsthand insights into the humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region and the outcomes of Finland’s development cooperation projects.
Led by Jani Kokko (Social Democratic Party), Vice-Chair of the Development Policy Committee, the delegation included Inka Hopsu (Green League), Tuomas Kettunen (Centre Party), Ari Koponen (Finns Party), and Sari Tanus (Christian Democrats). Their visit centered on understanding Ethiopia’s complex challenges, particularly in Tigray, where the fragile peace established two years ago struggles to hold amid ongoing humanitarian needs.
In Mekelle, the delegation visited a women’s shelter supporting survivors of sexual violence, a grave legacy of the Tigray conflict, described as one of the bloodiest of the century. The shelter offers medical care, psychosocial support, and vocational training to survivors. Local organizations estimate that around 126,000 women have suffered sexual violence during the conflict.
The shelter is supported by the Finnish Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The delegation also toured a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mekelle, where UNICEF and Save the Children are implementing education programs supported by Finland.
“These children have already lost everything once. Access to education gives them hope for the future,” said Jani Kokko, emphasizing Finland’s focus on supporting children with disabilities and those needing special care.
Ethiopia faces a worsening humanitarian situation, with over 21 million people requiring assistance. This includes 12 million children and 4.7 million women. More than 4.4 million internally displaced persons live in temporary shelters, driven by conflict, climate change, and epidemics.
International aid remains critically underfunded. Only 25% of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) humanitarian response plan for Ethiopia has been financed this year. In Tigray alone, the World Food Programme estimates that only 40% of food aid needs can be met in 2025.
Highlighting Finland’s Impact
The delegation visited three Finnish-supported development projects in Ethiopia, showcasing Finland’s commitment to sustainable development:
- REILA Land Administration Project: This initiative has improved land registration, promoting gender equality by enabling women to manage land. The system has the potential to serve as a model nationwide.
- COWASH Water and Sanitation Project: Over 5.5 million people now have access to clean drinking water, addressing 80% of health problems linked to poor water quality. The project has significantly eased the burden on women and girls who previously had to fetch water, often at great risk.
- Inclusive Education Resource Center in Hawassa: Finland has supported the development of sign language instruction and materials, advancing inclusive education.
In Addis Ababa, the Finnish delegation held discussions with the Ethiopian Parliament, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the EU, and the National Dialogue Commission (NDC). They also met with representatives of Finnish civil society organizations working in Ethiopia.
The delegation’s visit underscores Finland’s commitment to addressing humanitarian and developmental challenges in Ethiopia. However, they stressed the urgent need for increased international funding and collaboration to address Ethiopia’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
“Finland’s development cooperation in Ethiopia demonstrates that impactful change is possible. The projects we visited show how targeted interventions can improve lives, especially for women and vulnerable groups,” said Kokko.
As Ethiopia navigates its recovery, Finland’s continued support and advocacy for sustainable development and humanitarian relief remain crucial in shaping a brighter future for the country.
This visit highlights the importance of international partnerships in addressing humanitarian needs and fostering long-term development in regions recovering from conflict and crises.
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