Shimelis Adugna

Shimelis Adugna, the humanitarian Icon, born on October 13,1935 at Jigjiga town of the Somali Region in Ethiopia, the then eastern part of Hararge, from military family. He joined primary school in Hararge and attended high school at General Wingate secondary school in Addis Ababa. Eventually, he joined the then University College of Addis Ababa for BA in Education. From 1959-1961, he had post graduate studies and got MA in Social Service Administration from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay India. Shimelis Adugna is an Ethiopian diplomat and official who was the former president of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society. He developed and strengthened the Society’s ability to respond to disaster and humanitarian needs. He served as the Vice President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for Africa and as national coordinator for Jobs for Africa, an employment generation and poverty reduction program of the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Development Program. He is also the Founding President of the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia (FGAE) for 18 years, from 1965 to 1983. Currently, Shimelis Adugna is the President Emeritus of FGAE.

Shimelis also served as minister of labour and social affairs; ambassador to the Republic of India; vice-minister of the Interior in charge of correctional institutions; and as an independent consultant and government advisor on issues of famine, demobilized soldiers, and orphans.

Shimelis, a well respected figure with voluntary services in Ethiopia and beyond, used to have argued that: “Voluntarism is a freely given service by individuals who have concern about development, peace, and humanities. … Quite often we make declarations and think we have done the job. Declarations and proposals are the beginning. Delivering on our promises is what really matters. … if we don’t deliver on our promises and declarations, then our own words would stand in judgement over us for failing to do what we should be doing!”

Awards
Shimelis Adugna was awarded the Henry Dunant medal for outstanding humanitarian service, the highest award given by the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. He received the medal for "his personal commitment, his important contribution to the development of humanitarian activities and his work in promoting the Movement’s Fundamental Principles and ideals." Jima University (JU) also awarded Honorary Doctorate to Shimelis Adugna on the 4th of January 2022 in recognition of outstanding selfless leadership qualities. This award has been given to the 21st century heroes of Ethiopia.