Ethiopia launches refugee integration program

ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Tuesday launched a Comprehensive Refugee Response Program (CRRF) to provide refugees with more employment and educational opportunities.

Ethiopia now hosts about 890,000 refugees mainly from South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia in 26 refugee camps across the country.

Commissioner of Ethiopia Investment Commission (EIC) Fitusm Arega said the Ethiopian government is working to create employment opportunities for refugees, especially in industrial parks.

"Preparations are being made to build, at a cost of 500 million U.S. dollars, three industrial parks for refugees in Alage, in central Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, in eastern Ethiopia, and Mekelle, in northern Ethiopia," he said.

Funding for the project, which is expected to hire about 30,000 refugees, will be secured from Britain, the European Union, and the World Bank, Arega said.

The three industrial parks will also employ 70,000 local people, the commissioner said. Enditem