Helene Gayle Welcomed to Ethiopia by President Girma Wolde Giorgis

Ethiopia’s President Welcomes Helene Gayle to Ethiopia (2007 CARE)

Dr. Gayle reported to the President on her visit to West Hararghe, one of the regions where CARE works with the Government implementing the Productive Safety Net Program. The program works to decrease the number of persistently poor women, men and children who require food and cash assistance to meet basic needs.

They also discussed HIV/AIDS work, an area of long-term interest for the President and one in which CARE has been active for many years. CARE started Ethiopia’s first Voluntary Counseling and Testing program; in the subsequent 10 years, VCT has become mainstream in the country.

Following the meeting, Dr. Gayle wa Cancels interviewed on Ethiopian National TV, where she answered questions about her discussions with the President, CARE’s work in general, and HIV and AIDS in particular. The broadcast was an important opportunity to raise awareness about CARE’s work in Ethiopia.

The CARE Ethiopia country office was established in response to the country's 1983-84 famine. Although emergency feeding continues to be a focus, CARE now concentrates on rehabilitation and development projects. CARE Ethiopia's involvement in non-emergency programming includes agricultural extension services, income generation and food-for-work, as well as family planning and HIV/AIDS education.

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