Ethiopia

About the Situation

Although acute droughts wreaked havoc on Ethiopia’s economy in the first few years of the millennium, the country has made significant economic progress since 2003. Government aid programs have alleviated poverty levels in rural areas; however, urban poverty has increased.

Ethiopia’s economy and poor population are extremely vulnerable to external forces such as climate-related changes and increasing global food prices.

How Islamic Relief is Helping

Islamic Relief™ launched operations in Ethiopia in response to severe droughts in 2000, 2001 and 2002. After years of emergency relief efforts in Ethiopia, Islamic Relief opened an official field office in January 2004. Relief teams immediate began implementing long-term development projects that have improved access to education, health care, water and sanitation. Islamic Relief also launched several projects aimed at developing livelihood and food security, and strengthening the capacity of local organizations. Ethiopia is one of several African countries supported by Islamic Relief’s Africa Food Crisis campaign.

Here are some current and recently completed programs in Ethiopia:

• Emergency relief
  Islamic Relief has been on the ground in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia to provide vital aid to survivors of the 2011 drought—considered the worst drought to hit the region in 60 years. IR has been providing water, food and health care services to thousands in the region.
• Emergency livestock intervention program
  This program introduced more than 38,000 people in the community of Afar to new approaches to livestock health services. Local animal health care workers were trained on best practices, and vaccinations and treatments were administered to help safeguard animals from disease.
• One-to-one orphan sponsorships
• Ramadan food distribution
• Udhiyah/Qurbani meat distribution

HOW YOU CAN HELP