The church held a prayer program in connection with the national "Stand up Against Poverty" Campaign at the presence of religious leaders drawn from several countries here in the capital.

Speaking at the occasion, Abune Paulos said poverty can not be eradicated through prayer alone.

He said every citizen is expected to work hard to eradicate poverty from the country.

He said human beings should work hard to support themselves and extricate their country from poverty.

Abune Paulos underlined the need for religious leaders to inculcate the culture of work among the laity.

The "Stand up Against Poverty" campaign was launched on Tuesday organized by the Ethiopian Millennium Festival National Secretariat jointly with various UN agencies in Ethiopia.

As part of the campaign, a relevant exhibition is opened in the presence of senior government officials at the Meskel Square Exhibition Center organized by the UN.

R: 2:30-2:50

E: 5:31

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