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If you look at it honestly, the crisis they face today is the result of the failure to see the humanity of each other and to not respond with love and kindness to this human tragedy. It has only deepened as it has been ignored.
In the last 24 hours, countless numbers of Ethiopians have proven that we are indeed capable of great kindness. We do not have to bring it from somewhere else, like foreign aid; instead, it is within us.
When consciences are struck to the core, our response has been remarkable kindness, empathy and action, all working together for the good of these people.
To be sure, most Ethiopians did not know much about what was going on because the plight of the Gedeo people has been under-reported; however, when it was openly exposed to the majority of people, they responded, as did the government.
Top officials, like the Minister of Peace, Ms. Muferiat Kamil, have been sent to the area with indications of more help to address this crisis.
The media is reporting on it as well, speaking the truth, without cover up.
The media is reporting on it as well, speaking the truth, without cover up.
We can thank this government for allowing the truth to be told, even when it is so hard to see and when many may feel bad about neglecting the situation. Even the prime minister’s office put out a statement acknowledging the problem.
Under the previous government, this would have never happened; in fact, it would have been unthinkable; yet, they too may now be feeling compassion when facing it head on.
Added to this, regional governments and some other organizations have raised Six Hundred Million Birr to support the work on the ground. This is very commendable and unheard of in the past.
Our youth have gotten involved in meaningful ways.
Our youth have gotten involved in meaningful ways.
Large numbers of university students from various locations have gone to the area to help distribute food, clothing, and cleaning or personal hygiene supplies. Some were even seen helping to wash young children. Such responses give great hope for a better future for all.
Yesterday, March 15, Ato Tamagne Beyene, leader of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Ethiopians, Diaspora based Ethiopian organization made an emotional plea on ESAT for humanitarian help for the Gedeo people.
They launched an online fundraiser on GoFundMe and raised more than $950,000 in a matter two days. The online campaign intends to raise $US 1,000,000. This is amazing!
We sent a small #SMNE delegation to go Gedeo Zone from #AddisAbaba to witness and document what they could see on the ground. The pictures included here are part of that effort. What we are now seeing from our people is Ethiopia at its best.
Ethiopians are working in collaboration— working as a nation and a united people for a common cause. All of these people have come together to save members of their Ethiopian family.
They are from different organizations, different ethnic groups, different political groups, different regions, different universities and are of different ages.
When we talk about putting humanity before ethnicity or any other differences and about caring about the rights and well being of all of us: for no one is free until all are free; this is what we have been talking about. We are seeing these principles put into action.
Let us learn something of great value, which may have been forgotten, through the great suffering of the Gedeo people. May it launch: a Movement of Kindness.
Let us join together to each become a messenger of kindness and love until it spreads throughout our land, nurturing the people and transforming our nation.
#MovementofKindness
#MovementofKindness
