REAL WORK. REAL CHANGE

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC) Development and Inter Church Aid Commission (DICAC) Refugee and Returnee Affairs Department (RRAD) is a faith-based national non-government organization affiliated with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. It uses the church structure that radiates from the Holy Synod in the capital to each and every regional congregate and then districts to implement different activities and projects. EOTC-DICAC/RRAD has hosted many refugees from different countries of Africa, the Middle East, and Asian countries for many years.

Prior to 1965, there was an ad-hoc committee chaired by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Inter-church Aid Committee Directorate. This ad-hoc committee was composed of representatives of different religious and humanitarian organizations. In 1965, the Inter-Church Aid and Refugee Service Committee (ICARS) was formed by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church to coordinate the Refugee Assistance Programme, which was financially supported by the World Council of Churches.

In 1972, a tripartite agreement was signed among the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International University Exchange Fund (IUEF), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Following the massive influx of Southern Sudanese refugees arising from the civil war in Sudan, Refugee Counseling Service (RCS) was established as a branch office in Gambella in 1968.

To further expand and strengthen the multifaceted social program of the Church, a Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission was established in 1972 within the Church primarily to carry out economic, social, and humanitarian activities to improve the general living standard of the people, thereby meeting God's Commandments and teachings and developing the Church's assets. "The stranger that dwells with you shall be unto you as one born among you." (Lev. 19:33-34) and "I was a stranger, and you took me in…" (Mt. 25:35).

With this consent, the Commission was founded in 1972 by the Government Negarit Gazeta No. 415/1972 with the blessings of Emperor Haile Selassie. It has also continued re-registering and renewing as an Ethiopian Residents Charity in accordance with the country's rules and regulations.