An Inauguration ceremony for a project for supporting elderly people in Addis Ababa　took place on 14 May 2011 in Yeka Sub-City. The project was funded by the Japanese government through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme with USD 93,440, and implemented by a local NGO called Kibre-Aregawuyan Migbare Senay Direjit (KAMSD).  H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, celebrated the completion of the project, together with Wro Worknesh Munie, the Executive Director of KAMSD, government representatives of the Yeka Sub-City, as well as members of the community.

KAMSD is committed to providing financial, material, and psycho-social asistance to the elderly. The project implemented by KAMSD will support the elderly in three sub-cities in Addis Ababa, especially those who are living below the minimum living standard.  The goal of this project is to provide adequate shelter for the elderly who live in difficult circumstances on and off the streets of Addis Ababa, procuring their daily wherewithal by begging.  In the meantime, this project also provides workplaces for them by constructing a flour mill and a bread bakery so that they can earn income to maintain their life.  The project provides housing for more than 60 elderly people, as well as income-generating activities for 60 elderly women.

H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino in his speech at the inauguration ceremony paid tribute to the Kibre-Aregawuyan Migbare Senay Direjit for the role it has played in assisting the elderly in urban areas.  He also mentioned that in every society, elderly people are regarded as sources of history, culture and tradition who should be cared for and provided with appropriate services and support to have a stable and quiet life with honor and dignity.   Therefore, the Ambassador stressed his sincere wish that this project will eventually encourage the government in a national endeavor to make a welfare society friendly to the elderly.

Since 1997, the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia has supported over 270 Grassroots Human Security Projects throughout Ethiopia, in education, water, agriculture, health and other areas of basic human needs.  The Government of Japan will continue to support a variety of projects at the grassroots level for marginalized and vulnerable people.