Ethiopia

At least 91 different ethnic groups live in Ethiopia and the country’s history has been shaped by conflict between Muslims and Christians.

Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world and ranks 169 out of 175 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index. Life expectancy is just 48 years, largely due to the prevalence of Malaria and HIV/AIDS, and pneumonia and malnutrition continue to claim the lives of many children.

Development has been set back by frequent periods of drought and famine, as well as the long civil conflict and a border war with Eritrea. After the long devastating drought between 2000-2003, the Ethiopian Government sent out an international appeal for help. Widespread famine was averted through disaster relief in which Plan played a part.

However since then there have been some successful harvests and dependency on aid has decreased. Nevertheless much of Plan’s programme work continues to focus on helping communities ensure long-term food security. A great deal of the population remains extremely vulnerable largely due to limited access to basic services such as water, health care and education.

Some of the reasons why Plan works in Ethiopia

• One in every six children dies before reaching the age of five
• More than half of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
• 70% of children do no attend primary school
• Only 4% of the rural population have access to adequate sanitation facilities
• Only 11% of the rural population have access to an adequate water source