Federal Steering Committee Gathers to Drive $424M Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRP II) Forward ---------------------------------- The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Abraham Belay, Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, has convened the Federal Steering Committee Meeting alongside H.E. Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, Minister of Labor and Skills, H.E. Dr. Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy, H.E. Dr. Fikru Regassa, State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Endrias Geta, State Minister, Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, and key stakeholders. The agenda is centered on Phase II of the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRP II), a comprehensive initiative designed to elevate the socio-economic status of Ethiopia’s lowland communities. H.E. Dr. Endrias Geta, State Minister, Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, in his welcome address, stated that the Federal Steering Committee will assess the completion and outcomes of LLRP I and deliberate on the plan for LLRP II. In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Abraham Belay, Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, highlighted that the event serves as a platform to assess the impact phase one has had on the livelihoods of the lowlands community. The Honorable Minister further emphasized that this platform provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to assume responsibility for executing LLRP II, underscoring the strategic importance of this initiative for the sustainable development of our lowlands. ---- Spanning 120 districts across 7 regions and the Dire Dawa Administration, LLRP II is supported by a significant budget of USD 424 million, directly benefiting 3 million pastoralists and agropastoralists (600,000 households, 50% women, 20% youth). This five-year program seeks to address the adverse impacts of climate change through job creation and diversification of income-generating opportunities. By boosting climate resilience and productivity, LLRP II is poised to play a vital role in advancing Ethiopia's national development framework, particularly in the lowland areas of Ethiopia.