On August 4, Ethiopialocal time, XCMG, China poverty alleviation fund joint the first lady office of Ethiopia, officially launched the XCMG African cellar projects at Addis Ababa ODANEBE primary school in local capital.

XCMG Ethiopia Africa Ethiopia Cellar Opening Ceremony

With the El Nino phenomenon intensified, since 2016 the beginning of the year, many places in African or suffered heavy rain and floods, or suffered a rare drought, a large number of people are lack of food. Among them, the situation in Ethiopia is particularly worrying. UN latest data shows, right now, at least 10.20 million people in Ethiopia are in urgent need of assistance, and this figure could double in the next few months. In early January, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia:” The country is facing the worst drought in 30 years……the emergency situation extend is far more than a government can bear.”

When he learned that there was a serious drought in Ethiopia, XCMG Chairman Wang Min immediately decided, donated RMB 1.85 million to the China foundation for poverty alleviation, set up blue dream special fund, RMB 750,000 is devoted to the construction of small water conservancy facilities to collect rainwater for the drought in Ethiopia, Africa, and combined with the first lady's office of the international NGO To establish 50 cellars for Ethiopia communities in arid regions and schools, solve the problem of safe drinking water for more than 4000 villagers and students, enhance the ability to fight against natural disasters.

Ethiopia Water Experts and XCMG Ethiopia Dealers Joint Participated in Opening Ceremony

In order to make the first cellar construction of more practical value and demonstration effect, XCMG in Ethiopia office manager successively go to the Embassy of Ethiopia, office of the first lady, the Ethiopian Ministry of water resources, China - Africa friendly elementary and other institutions for research interview, further discuss the first water cellar location issue with Ethiopian national small and micro irrigation support project water conservancy experts HuneNega, and carry out on-the-spot investigation for the surrounding villages’ schools and communities in Addis Ababa. When they learned that there was a village public elementary school near Akaki, Oromia, Southeast of Addis Ababa, more than 300 students here can only squeeze in three dilapidated classrooms every day. What’s more poignant, because there is no water tank and other drinking water facilities in school, these children drink enough water at home then go to school every day in the morning, no more drinking water during class. Even without the water for students washing their hands after using the toilet. Look at the children’ s chapped lips and black hands, XCMG decided to establish first cellar in the primary school, solve the problems of daily drinking water and water use for students and teachers.

The First Cellar Site ODA NEB Primary School Classroom

In a week before the start, XCMG commissioned Ethiopia water expert HUNENega to carry out technical transformation according to local conditions for the first cellar. According to the drinking and using water needs of the students and teachers in the school and the size of the classroom and playground, the cellar will be transformed into four parts: roof catchment area, ground water diversion pipeline, underground cellar, Human draw water facilities, use the  roof catchment and ground water catchment, effectively increase the rainwater collection area, enlarge the volume of underground cellar water, at the same time, in order to ensure the water is clean and facilitate routine inspection, will also build a small cement pool or three buffer pools. 

At the ground - breaking ceremony, Ethiopia water conservancy expert HUNENega explained the construction scheme of water cellar project for the staff, while told reporters: I worked on advanced irrigation and water conservancy project for 30 years in Ethiopia, When I heard that the project is the first cellar project donated by China engineering machinery leader enterprise Xugong in Ethiopia, I am very happy to participate and share my experience in the construction of water cellar, and to do something meaningful for the children together.” Then, he carefully guided the workers to measure and select the center point, determine the final scope of water cellar.

When the XCMG early visited Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia La Yifan, introduced the details of the origin of Xugong Ethiopia cellar project, site survey and the implementation plan of work, La ambassador said, "China in Ethiopia embassy pay much attention to the people's livelihood, poverty alleviation and other public welfare projects, Xugong water cellars project is very meaningful and far-reaching influence, is also very popular, the Ethiopian government is also very supportive. This move, is XCMG’s  exploration of the public welfare undertaking from the domestic to the oversea, establish a benchmark example for other domestic enterprises in Ethiopia".  

Representative of Xugong Office in Ethiopia Visitinh China Ambassador to Ethiopia La Yifan

The water cellar project is XCMG the first to bring the mature cellar technology of 30 years implementation in China to Ethiopia. At the same time, XCMG is also the first Chinese enterprise donated China poverty alleviation fund assistance projects in Ethiopia since 2005 the China foundation for poverty alleviation began international exploration, therefore, the project is also known as the China foundation for poverty alleviation “public diplomacy model project”.

Xugong Ethiopia Dealers and Representative of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation Joint Investigation for the First Water Cellar SiteSelection