Our work in Ethiopia
Eighty five percent of Ethiopians are dependent on agriculture for their subsistence. They live in remote, rural areas with little access to infrastructure and social services. As irrigation is not widely practiced and farming techniques are quite rudimentary, farmers are totally dependent on rain for their harvests and livelihood. Many Ethiopians live on the brink of survival; the GDP per capita is 110USD per year. Food insecurity is a chronic issue as many families are unable to buy or grow enough food to feed themselves. Therefore, when drought hits it is often followed by tragedy. On an average, 4 million people are in need of food aid each year in order to survive. In 2003, when a severe drought hit Ethiopia, more than 14 million people needed food (that is 20% of the population).
The effects of drought on children are devastating. They are often the first to die and last to eat. They are at a high risk of malnutrition due to a lack of adequate food but also micronutrients and water. Their immune systems are likely to be weakened, making them vulnerable to illness and disease. Families affected by drought also tend to migrate which cut children off from their support networks and obstruct their access to education.