Diaspora Forum

Towards Creating a strong Community 

The Ethiopian community is among the largest communities in Yemen. There are about 5 million people of Ethiopian origin having Yemeni blood and in Yemeni currently.    Apart from these, there are about 14 thousand Ethiopians who live and work in Yemen. And still there is a continued trend of Ethiopians making their way to Yemen in search of a better life.

        The majority of Ethiopians who make their way to Yemen are women who want to be employed as housemaids. Although they have succeeded in securing an employment, which will certainly enable them to support themselves, they have their own problems.

            In order to address the problems of Ethiopian citizens residing in Yemen the Ethiopian Embassy in Yemen had to take the initiative to organize an association of the Ethiopian community in Yemen. This was meant to resolve encountered inconveniences and support Ethiopians residing in Yemen.

       With the objective of further strengthening the bond and attachment of the Ethiopian Diaspora to their motherland, the embassy once again took the initiative to establish Development Associations of different Nations and Nationalities of Ethiopia.

       Accordingly, we have today Amhara, Oromo, Tigrie, South Ethiopian peoples Nations and Nationalities, Ethiopian Somalis and Benishangul Gumuz Peoples Development Associations in Yemen.  These are the ones with firm foundations, but there are also others functioning in Yemen. 

            The establishment of such development associations has enabled the Diaspora to contribute not only to their respective regions of origin but also to the nationwide effort of fighting poverty. A consolidation of the Ethiopian Diaspora in Yemen was also made possible through the respective development associations.

            Each development Assoction celebrate its anniversary, which is patterned to fir into one of the t national holidays of our country. The anniversary of the development associations of the South Nations and Nationalities for example is celebrated on 27th September, which is the day of the finding of the true cross. The Muslim and Christian religious festivities are celebrated alongside events marking the birth of the associations.  The embassy plays a significant role of guiding and facilitating the activities of the different associations. It also updates the community on recent developments in their country. In doing so, the embassy facilitated the way for the Diaspora to properly employ its resources to move the economy forward. And today there is a strong community in Yemen, says Ambassador Abdi Dolal Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen.

            According to the Ambassador, the fact that the associations function under the patronage of the embassy helped them to work in a more organized and efficient manner.

As the associations run a sizable amount of money, the embassy trains the staffs of the associations on how to conduct auditing and handle financial documents. The associations also present progress report to the embassy and the embassy makes its assessment regarding their performance. And based on their annual report, their performance is rated to stir up competition and hard work among them.

            In order to raise their awareness they attend discussion and briefings on major policies and strategies of the country. Allowing them to participate in such fora makes them actually engage in the different investment and trade opportunities in their country.

            Speaking on community involvement in the field of investment Ambassdor Abdi says that the "majority of Ethiopians residing in Yemen do not have the capacity to do so". This is because they are mostly young and are employed as home maids. 

            Those of Ethiopian origin are relatively in a better position. These have the capacity to engage on investment activities. Benefiting from the favorable investment conditions in Ethiopia, they are actively engaged in various productive activities.

            We are exerting efforts to attract these investors who are well organized and capable to invest in Ethiopia, says the Ambassador. Some are already investing in Ethiopia in the agricultural sector mainly in animal husbandry, cotton production and floriculture.  Still others are engaged in the industrial sector.  Being Ethiopian by birth, they can play a significant role in bolstering the economic and social relations between the two countries.

             As to the quality of service the Embassy renders, he says the Ethiopian embassy in Yemen, is well organized. A lot of effort has been exerted to improve the organization and structure of the embassy.

            Following the spirit of the civil service reform being undertaken at the national level, the embassy has carried internal rearrangements and structural amendments to improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery.  

            What is more, the embassy has organized small enterprises to form “Damena" Ethiopian Businessmen Association”. It is also working hard to consolidate the association to achieve further gains. One of the efforts being exerted by the government of Ethiopia in this connection is the proclamation issued to allow an Ethiopian national take up to 99 Kg of agricultural products individually to Yemen. The fact that they are organized under the umbrella of the Association would help them benefit from such schemes. Therefore, it enabled owners of restaurants and small business as benefit from the initiative. Taking Ethiopian products in such quantities would help Ethiopians benefit than the business and at the same time promote our products. This way the embassy is building the financial capacity of the Diaspora. Upan achieving a marked success, the embassy   facilitated ways on which they can work with Yemeni entrepreneurs for they have the advantage of knowing the trade and investment opportunities accessible in Ethiopia.

          The effort of the Ethiopian embassy in Yemen in organizing the Ethiopian community along development and trade associations is something recommendable. A strong and organized community can play an important role in backing the development efforts of a country. Such a community can also become an engine in consolidating the longstanding relations of Ethiopia and Yemen.