New Partnership Launched to Support Simien Mountains National Park

Addis Ababa – August 18, 2018 - The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA), the German Development Cooperation financed through German Development Bank KfW and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have launched a four-year project to conserve and develop the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), a World Heritage Site.

This collaboration seeks to improve overall management of the Park, protect the wildlife, improve the livelihoods of people living adjacent to the Park and establish SMNP as a sustainable tourism destination.

Simien Mountains National Park is renowned for its spectacular landscape, rugged knife-edged views and dramatic vistas. It is home to 21 threatened or endangered species as well as species that are only found in Ethiopia, such as the Walia Ibex, Gelada baboon and the Ethiopian wolf – one of the world’s most endangered canines. Simien was one of the first parks to be included in the World Heritage List in 1978.

EWCA Director General Mr. Kumara Wakjira said the project is timely and supports government plans to secure wildlife and wildlands as well as to provide sustainable incomes to the community.

“As the government institution overseeing the conservation of Simien Mountains National Park, EWCA is grateful for the support provided by (KfW) and the partnership with AWF. This project will enable us to continue the great strides we have already made in this World Heritage Site,” said Mr. Wakjira.

KfW Senior Project Manager Thomas Wolfe said the project complements the existing portfolio of successful projects supported by the German Government in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia.

“This project blends conservation and livelihood improvement to the benefit of the people living around the park and with the partners involved, we are optimistic about what we will achieve together,” Mr. Wolfe said.

AWF’s Vice President for Programs East and Southern Africa Kathleen H. Fitzgerald described Simien Mountains National Park as one of Africa’s most unique protected areas.

“AWF is delighted to be working in partnership with EWCA and KfW to ensure this Park is protected in the long-term and supports sustainable tourism for the benefit of surrounding communities,” she said.

The project will be launched today in Debark, Ethiopia, with over 60 stakeholders in attendance.

Partners:

The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority is an authorized organ of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia entrusted with the responsibility of conserving and managing the Ethiopian protected areas.

KfW Development Bank has been helping the German Federal Government to achieve its goals in development policy and international development cooperation for more than 50 years. On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW finances and supports programs that mainly involve public sector players in developing countries and emerging economies with the goal to fight poverty, maintain peace, protect both the environment and the climate and shape globalization in an appropriate way.

African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and wildlands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Headquartered in Kenya and registered in Ethiopia, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision, bridging science and public policy and demonstrating the benefits of conservation to ensure the survival of the continent’s wildlife and wild lands.

For more information

EWCA Communication Affairs
Mr. Getnet Ygzaw
Mobile: +251912648624

Mr. Solomon Worku
Mobile: +251919911992
Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Denis Galava
Director Media Relations and Advocacy.
African Wildlife Foundation
Ngong Road, Karen, P.O. Box 310
00502 Nairobi, Kenya.
Mobile: +254 720 947612
Office: +254 711 063000
Skype: denis.galava
www.awf.org

Thomas Wolf
Senior Project Manager
Rural Development, Biodiversity, Transport
Eastern Africa, DR Congo, African Union

KfW-Entwicklungsbank
Palmengartenstraße 5-9
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Tel. +49-69-7431 9267
Fax: +49-69-7431-3748
www.kfw.de

KfW