Ethiopia - COVID-19: relief work of Salesians
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - April 2020 - Several meetings are being held at various levels, meetings called by the Superior of the Salesian Vice Province of Ethiopia (AET), Fr Hailmariam Medhin, SDB, with the collaboration of the Planning and Development Office (PDO), led by the Salesian coadjutor Brother Cesare Bullo. The meetings are attended by various PDO members of Addis Ababa, Salesians from the neighboring communities and members of the AET Vice-Council. Immediate measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which recorded 75 official cases in Ethiopia, were discussed, although the actual numbers could be greater, given the lack of tests. Among the measures decided: conducting awareness-raising campaigns, supplying health material and humanitarian aid to the poor. In addition, the Salesian schools in the country are making significant efforts to provide students with online lessons. The Salesians have 14 centers in the country for over 200,000 beneficiaries, including 30,000 young people. The Salesians have already expressed their willingness to offer all their infrastructure to accommodate those affected, should the crisis worsen.