Addis Abeba– The Ethiopian Electricity Utility (EEU) has announced that property theft and destruction worth 50.2 million Birr occurred in the past seven months of the current fiscal year.

In a statement released on March 3, 2025, EEU stated that the reported losses resulted from power and transformer theft, electric line damage, cable theft, and other infrastructure-related crimes. The institution also claimed that in some cases, “employees were prevented from carrying out their duties.”

According to EEU, 163 cases of power and infrastructure theft were recorded during this period. The institution stated that 11 of these cases have resulted in court verdicts, with 13 defendants sentenced to penalties ranging from two months of simple imprisonment to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, along with fines of up to 50,000 Birr.

Last week, the institution also announced that over 80 kilometers of conductor wire cable and 25.7 kilometers of optical fiber line were looted within ten days along the Metehara–Train Traction Station One route.

Additionally, EEU stated that it has taken “administrative action” against 22 leaders and employees following corruption and malpractice reports submitted by customers. According to the institution, after investigations, three individuals received written warnings, while 19 were penalized with salary deductions. AS

Addis Abeba– The death toll from a cholera outbreak in Ethiopia’s Gambella region has risen to 14, with over 200 cases reported, according to regional health officials. The outbreak, first identified in four districts of Nuer Zone, has now spread to additional areas.

Gatbel Girmal, head of the Nuer Zone Health Bureau, told Deutsche Welle (DW) that the outbreak, first reported a week ago, “has now spread to additional areas.” He noted that Akobo district faces “significant transportation and communication challenges,” making it difficult to obtain complete data. Due to network issues, “officials must travel by boat to collect information,” a process that “takes up to three days,” he added.

According to the Gambella Regional Health Bureau, the outbreak was initially classified as “acute watery diarrhea” (AWD) until laboratory tests confirmed it as cholera. Cases have been reported in Akobo, Lare, Makwai, Wentawo, Jikawo districts, and Gambella city administration.

Dr. Abel Assefa, head of the regional health bureau, told DW that the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided medical supplies valued at “approximately 1.6 million birr” to support containment efforts.

Regional health officials indicated that the outbreak, which they suspect originated from South Sudan, was first detected in Akobo district on February 11, 2025. AS

Addis Abeba– Nine people have died, and 136 others have been infected in an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) across four districts in Gambella Region’s Nuer Zone, the regional health bureau announced.

Dr. Abel Assefa, head of the Gambella Regional Health Bureau, said the outbreak has affected Akobo, Wantawo,Makuey and Lare districts. He noted that “the disease had previously occurred in neighboring South Sudan.”

According to Dr. Abel, 31 of those infected are currently receiving treatment, while 96 have recovered. He said the bureau has deployed teams with medical supplies to the affected areas.

To contain the outbreak, he urged residents to clean their surroundings and practice proper hygiene. “Water collected from pipes, wells, springs, rivers, and similar sources should be treated with purification medicine or boiled before use,” he emphasized.

He also stressed the importance of handwashing with soap, particularly “after using the toilet, after cleaning children, and before preparing, serving, or eating food.” AS

Addis Abeba –The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) has announced that newly approved mandatory national standards will be enforced beginning 08 June, 2025.

In addition to the products already subject to quality control, the Ministry stated that various new standards approved by the Ethiopian Standards Council will also be regulated starting on the same date. These new standards include different types of glass used for construction, various aluminum and aluminum alloy products for construction, paint products, vehicle seat belts, motorcycle helmets, speed control devices, and vehicle inspection standards.

Over the past 50 years, Ethiopia has issued a total of 11,890 general standards, of which 350 have been designated as mandatory.

The ministry further disclosed that a four-month grace period has been granted for products that have previously obtained bank permits or were purchased under Franco Valuta permits and are currently in transit. While confirming that regulatory enforcement will take effect on June 8, the Ministry urged importers utilizing the Franco Valuta mechanism to ensure their products comply with the mandatory national standards.

In November 2025, the Ethiopian government officially banned the importation of goods under the Franco Valuta system, citing its “unsustainable” nature. AS

Addis Abeba – The European Union (EU) has announced a €200,000 allocation in humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of communities affected by recent earthquakes in the Afar, Amhara, and Oromia regions.

In a statement issued on 11 February, 2025, the EU stated that the funding would assist the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) in providing essential relief, including multipurpose cash assistance, clean water, shelter, healthcare, sanitation, and emergency referrals.

The four-month project, running until the end of May 2025, aims to benefit 10,000 people in the hardest-hit areas. The funding is part of the EU’s broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Reports indicate that recent seismic activity has impacted approximately 10,000 residents in the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region, which borders the Afar region. This is in addition to the 55,000 individuals affected in Afar and the 30,000 impacted in Oromia, bringing the total number of affected people across the three regions to nearly 100,000.

The EU’s assistance comes at a critical time, as displaced individuals report living in overcrowded shelters with limited access to food, water, and essential resources. According to a recent article by Addis Standard, those affected by the earthquake have described aid from the government and humanitarian organizations as “inadequate.” AS

Addis Abeba– The World Bank has allocated 3.52 billion Birr to support the renovation of schools, health facilities, and water supply systems damaged during the war in Tigray region, officials announced on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

According to regional media outlet Demtsi Woyane (DW), a consultation forum is being held in Wukro, located some 59 kilometers from Tigray’s capital city, Mekelle, where it was stated that the funding will facilitate the renovation of 266 schools in 14 districts, along with 84 health facilities and 844 water supply wells. Regional and district leaders, as well as representatives, are participating in the forum to discuss project implementation.

Tedros Gebre-Egziabher, head of the Tigray Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Office, said the damage caused by the war was extensive, adding that “reconstruction and rehabilitation work is needed in all areas of Tigray.”

The renovation work will take place in districts including Wajrat, Seharti, Hahayile, Adet, Gulomahda, Bizet, Egela, Tsimbla, Embasneyti, Zana, Central Adiyabo, Raya Azebo, and Neksegena Alaje, Demtsi Woyane (DW) reported.

A previous Addis Standard report revealed that more than 2,470 schools in Tigray were damaged during the war, with over 30,000 computers either destroyed or looted, according to Seyoum Hagos, Director of Communications at the Tigray Education Bureau.

The destruction of infrastructure, coupled with the displacement of communities, has severely affected student enrollment, with Seyoum stating that “less than a million students are registered for school this year,” despite there being over 2.4 million eligible students.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that more than 106 schools in the region are currently being used as shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), limiting access to classrooms. “More than 500 schools are currently outside of the bureau’s jurisdiction,” Seyoum noted, adding that many of these schools remain under the control of Amhara and Eritrean forces. AS