Overview
In parts of Ethiopia, right now, 4.3 million people are at risk of starvation. We are trying to help thousands of children and their families by providing urgently-needed food and healthcare. The main problem is that the rains have failed, causing crop failures and the worst drought the region has seen in years. The price of food is also skyrocketing, intensifying this already dire crisis.
The television advert below explains more. Visit the emergency appeal page here.
During 2007, Ethiopia’s supply of food improved due to favourable weather conditions and adequate rainfall. Although there was an increase in food production, for the third consecutive year, 1.36 million people still needed emergency food assistance.
Concern responded to several regional and local emergencies, and provided support to vulnerable communities – including women, orphans, children and people living with HIV.
Some key achievements:
Over 5,500 children received basic primary education. A radio programme highlighting the importance of education, particularly for girls, was transmitted in rural areas, and encouraged parents to send their children to school
- Awareness raising sessions trained mothers to recognise signs of malnutrition in children, and led to more families seeking medical help for sick children. Overall, 2,270 children were provided with nutritional support
- Over 3,500 poor and vulnerable people in Addis Ababa received support to develop small businesses. 3,300 people in rural areas received cash payments to help them through the “hungry” season, meaning they could stay on their land to tend crops rather than having to search for work elsewhere or sell their assets
- Drinking water and crop irrigation supplies were improved for over 12,000 people in Wollo district. Journey times to fetch water fell from an average of 2 ½ hours to 30 minutes. Improved irrigation meant people were able to plant earlier and many households doubled their crop productio
- Working with five partner organisations in urban and rural areas, we reached 14,000 people through our HIV programme. Over 10,000 people attended sessions to increase awareness of HIV and 1,000 people living with HIV received care, counselling and financial support
