WFK Program Strengthens Ethiopia-South Korea Relations Through Volunteerism

ADDIS ABABA: The World Friends Korea (WFK) program is playing a significant role in fostering social, cultural, and technological exchanges between Ethiopia and South Korea, according to an official from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance. By dispatching volunteers to over 40 developing countries, including Ethiopia, the program aids in sharing Korean development experiences to support partner countries’ economic and social growth.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, WFK, inaugurated on May 7, 2009, is the Korean government’s overseas volunteer initiative. Volunteers from Korea engage in various activities, such as preparing educational materials, providing medical care, and promoting Ethiopian tourism. The program recently held its organizational representative consultative meeting in Addis Ababa, where Derje Girma, from the Bilateral Cooperation Directorate at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance, highlighted the multifaceted support Ethiopia receives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Ethiopi
a has benefited significantly from KOICA programs, which include development projects and capacity-building initiatives. These have contributed to poverty reduction and the provision of essential social services, such as the construction of schools, health facilities, and water infrastructure. KOICA dispatches volunteers to various Ethiopian government offices to share Korean knowledge and experience, which has been crucial in Ethiopia’s development efforts.

KOICA Country Director in Ethiopia, Han Deog Cho, stated that Korean volunteers are actively engaged in fields such as health, education, and tourism. He emphasized that meetings with host organizational representatives serve as platforms to enhance partnerships and create environments that enable volunteers to contribute effectively to their host communities.

Despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Friends Korea volunteer program resumed in Ethiopia in May 2022. The Director reiterated KOICA’s commitment to remaining a steadfast
partner in Ethiopia’s journey toward progress and prosperity, aligning with the country’s development vision and strategies.