Write a letter for the tribes of the Omo Valley

The Lower Omo River in south west Ethiopia is home to eight different tribes whose population is about 200,000. They have lived there for centuries.

However the future of these tribes lies in the balance. A massive hydro-electric dam, Gibe III, is under construction on the Omo. When completed it will destroy a fragile environment and the livelihoods of the tribes.

They have not been consulted about the dam and stand to lose their livelihoods based on the river’s natural flood.

The Ethiopian government has asked the Italian government to finance part of the dam project. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected to make his decision soon.

How you can help

Write a letter to Italy’s Finance Minister urging him not to fund the Gibe III dam.

Franco Frattini, Ministro degli Affari Esteri
Ministero degli Affari Esteri
Piazzale della Farnesina 1
00194 Roma
Italy

July 30, 2010

Dear Mr Frattini

I am extremely concerned to learn that the Italian government is considering funding the Gibe 3 dam on the Omo River.

Eight tribes live in this area and depend on the Omo's annual flood to grow crops which are essential to their livelihoods. Once the dam is completed there will be no natural flood. If this flood and its rich silt deposits disappear, the tribes' subsistence economies will collapse and at least 100,000 tribal people will face food shortages.

The Ethiopian Constitution guarantees people the right to 'full consultation' about projects which affect them. Tribal peoples in the Lower Omo region have not been properly consulted about the dam and are unaware of the serious impacts it will have on their lives.

I urge you to withold all funding for the Gibe 3 dam and its associated projects, unless and until a complete and independent social and environmental impact study is carried out and the tribal peoples are fully consulted. In accordance with international law, the project should only continue if and when they give their free informed and prior consent.

Yours sincerely,

Will my letter make a difference?
Yes. Time and again, letters from Survival supporters have called governments and organisations to account. Policies have changed and lives have been saved.

Should I post, fax or e-mail?
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Write a letter for the tribes of the Omo Valley

1. Write your letter, then 2. Complete it and 3. Mail it

How you can help