USAID Urban TB LON

Project launching
USAID Urban TB LON project was launched virtually on Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
REACH-Ethiopia and its Consortium implement Urban TB Local Organizations Network (LON) project.
Urban TB LON has been awarded to REACH-Ethiopia by The United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project aims to strengthen the community contribution on TB case detection in the three Urban Settings: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Harari Region. Moreover, Urban TB LON project’s additional aim is to strengthen the capacity of Local/Civil Society Organizations on TB Programming and create enabling environment in supporting Ending TB efforts of the Ethiopian government.
The project launching event commenced with an announcement of the agendas for the sessions by REACH-Ethiopia/Urban TB LON’s Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization advisor Birhane Tadesse. After a welcoming speech by Mr. Gemeda Bora, the Executive Director of REACH-Ethiopia the participants introduced themselves. Through the moderation of Dr. Anteneh kassa, USAID Development Program Specialist, Dr. Yewulsew kassie, Senior Infectious Disease Advisor and Activity officer Representative (AOR gave a key note speech explaining USAID’s intervention on reducing TB in high burden countries like Ethiopia. He also requested for thorough and kind support from the government in the process of realizing this vision and building the capacity of local organizations to sustain the impact.
Then, Mrs. Hiwot Solomon from Ministry of Health, Director of Disease Prevention and Control, gave an opening remark followed by Dr. Getachew’s Wondimagegn, USAID Urban TB LON project manager detailed project description. On his presentation, Dr Getachew conveyed who the implementing partners are; the intervention setting, objective of the project, expected outcomes and innovations to follow in the era of COVID-19. Though, the project run a bit late, Dr. Getachew emphasized that with the support of the strong team in the project and with kind cooperation form main stakeholders, the project is envisioning to achieve its target and so much more.