COUNTRY
PROFILE:
Ethiopia is probably
best known for its periodic droughts and famines, and
its extended bouts of civil conflict. All of which,
either singularly or together, continue to impact heavily
on the lives of the Ethiopian people.
Poverty affects a vast majority
of the Ethiopian population (variously estimated at
between 76 and 85.9 million people), of whom two-thirds
are illiterate.
Eighty-one per cent of people live below the poverty
line of US$ 2 a day and some 31 million survive on less
than US$ 0.5 a day.
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Map courtesy of FCO (UK)
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Average life expectancy
is 41.2 years. Maternal mortality is 870 per 100,000 live
births; infant mortality 103 per 1,000 live births; and under-five
mortality 172 per 1,000 live births. Only 24 per cent of the
population has regular access to safe drinking water.
The country is dependent on agriculture
with drought a common occurrence, leading directly to famine.
At least 85 per cent of the Ethiopian people rely on crop
production, which makes the cycle of drought and famine heavily
politicised issues, as well as natural catastrophes for the
people affected. Coffee, a key export, is vulnerable to price
fluctuations as well as drought.
Ethiopia ranked 169th out of 177 countries in a recent United
Nation’s Human Development Index.
Every year, between six and 13 million people are in danger
of starvation in Ethiopia, and, in an average year, 5 to 6
million people seek food aid.
Government estimates currently have 6.2 million people in
need of aid but other estimates put this as high as 13.9 million,
with that number expected to increase in 2010 to around 15
million.
GOAL HISTORY IN ETHIOPIA:
GOAL first began operations in Ethiopia
in 1984 in response to a widespread famine. During 1984–1986,
GOAL nurses and doctors worked on health and nutrition programmes
via missionary organisations and other international NGOs.
At that time, the population of Ethiopia was estimated to
be 42 million, 1 million of whom perished during the famine
period.
In 1987, GOAL registered as an international implementing
NGO in Ethiopia, and has been delivering a range of relief,
rehabilitation and development initiatives throughout the
country ever since. With in excess of 25 years experience
in implementing all kinds of humanitarian aid there, GOAL
is now a strong and influential organisation in Ethiopia.
CURRENT GOAL PROGRAMMES:
- Children at Risk
- Food
- Nutrition
- Education
- Community Development
- Healthcare
- HIV and Aids
- Agriculture
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
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