Ethiopia's History
In Ethiopia, over 11.3 million people have been at risk of starvation since 2000. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Increased food insecurity has forced the government to resettle families from drought ridden northern areas to more fertile regions of this North East African nation.

Thousands were relocated to areas west of Addis Ababa, an extremely undeveloped region where families struggle to meet their basic needs. Over 19,000 people were moved to the Sasiga District, East Wellega Zone of Oromia Regional State. These settlers travelled more than 1,000 kilometres from their original home which had a completely different cultural, religious and climatic background. Meanwhile, the local families (over 35,000 people) have to adjust to this new demographic in their communities, and the resulting strain on already inadequate infrastructure and resources.

FH In Ethiopia
FH began working in Ethiopia in 1984 through relief efforts in response to famine. In the beginning, FH Ethiopia operated through partner organizations delivering emergency food aid to famine victims. The recurrence of the same situation after ten years urged FH to be an operational NGO directly implementing its own relief and rehabilitation programs in the country. Since that time, FH Ethiopia has grown tremendously and is working in the areas of: food security, agriculture, natural resource management, water and sanitation, primary health care, education and child development, income generation, economic development, and infrastructure development.

What We Do

• Agriculture & Environment: Training in agronomic practices, micro-irrigation, animal health, fruit and coffee production, environmental protection and natural resource management.
• Child Development & Education: Social development, child health and an education support program.
• Health & Nutrition: Micro-nutrient interventions, nutritional supplementation, dietary diversification and disease control training.

• HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness education.
• Water & Sanitation: Building of hand-dug and shallow wells, springs, and roof catchments, potable water supply schemes, cattle troughs, latrines and hygiene promotion.

Quick Facts (from IRIN, CIA, The World Factbook, UNHCR, UNICE)

• Ethiopia has never been colonized and is Africa's longest standing independent country.
• Four million children are orphans in Ethiopia, which is 12% of the child population.
• Chronic food insecurity and water shortage caused by chronic drought and periodic famine threaten millions of Ethiopians each year.
• Nearly half (46%) of Ethiopia's population suffers from malnutrition.
• 78% of Ethiopians lack access to safe water.