OLDS – Olds dentist Dr. Jared Ord is one of 13 Canadian aid workers being held in Ethiopia, his wife said Monday.
“Yes, he is one of the one’s being held,” said Lindsay Ord said from her Olds home on Monday afternoon. “He is one of the 13 that is being held there. Myself and two of our children were there as well, and we are safely home now.
“I was with him when it happened. I have been able to be a little bit in contact with him but not directly. He’s OK and we are working hard to get him home.”
Dr. Ord, his wife Lindsay, their 16-year-old son Carter and 13-year-old daughter Ashlyn were in Ethiopia with the Alberta-based non-political organization Canadian Humanitarian.
In a press release, Canadian Humanitarian confirmed that a group of 15 medical professional volunteers, general volunteers, and Canadian Humanitarian staff members have been detained in city of Gondar in western Ethiopia.
“The group that is detained consists of 10 Canadian volunteers, three Canadian staff members, and two Ethiopian staff members,” the release states.
“As of right now they are being investigated on allegations that they were practicing medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication.”
The group said that although “we cannot comment on the specifics of the expiry of the medication, we can with confidence say that all medicine and care offered by our team was safe.”
Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in Ethiopia are reportedly working with officials from the government of Ethiopia to resolve the situation.
An official list of those Canadians detained had not been released at press time Monday.
The family was in east Africa with other Canadian dentists and dental hygienists to provide medical care to local residents.
Canadian Humanitarian has been licenced as a charitable NGO in Ethiopia since 2012.
The Ords had twice earlier travelled to Ethiopia with Canadian Humanitarian.
“To respect the privacy of our volunteers and staff, we are not releasing any more information at this time,” the release states.
Lindsay Ord said the family is hopeful Dr. Ord will be released soon.
“I miss him and I love him and we are hopeful that we will see him soon,” said Lindsay.
