Country Profile
Ethiopia is home to a remarkable mosaic of peoples, languages, and cultures punctuated by varied landscapes. The population is overwhelmingly rural, with the highest densities in a region called the central highlands.Ethiopia’s central highland plateau, with heights reaching more than 4,900 feet, accompanies other topographical extremes: rugged highlands, dense forests, and hot lowland plains. The slow drying of Africa’s Sahel region affects eastern and northeastern Ethiopia, where the frequency of droughts has increased in the past two decades.
Ethiopia is bordered by Somalia and Djibouti to the east, Kenya to the south, and Sudan to the west. The capital city of Addis Ababa (the name means "new flower") is located in the center of the country and is home to the headquarters of the African Union.
Read more about Ethiopia in this Culture Gram (PDF)
World Vision in Ethiopia
World Vision began working in Ethiopia in 1971, with child sponsorship beginning in 1976.
Today, United States operates projects in 27 program areas, and more than 75,000 boys and girls benefit from child sponsorship programs in Ethiopia.
Challenges in Ethiopia
More than 38 percent of Ethiopians live below the poverty line, and 23 percent live on less than a dollar a day. Many people lack access to health care. Important services like schools and medical facilities are often found only in urban areas.
Nearly 80 percent of Ethiopians work in the agriculture sector. They are able to grow just enough food to feed their families and cannot purchase many essential items.
Ethiopia is home to 1.5 million people living with HIV and AIDS. As a result, more children need to stay home to take care of their families.
Political skirmishes exist but these problems are far outweighed by famine and food insecurity due to drought, environmental degradation, and ongoing flooding.
Recent accomplishments in Ethiopia include:
Education
- Supplying students with school uniforms and supplies, enabling girls and boys to continue their education.
Health
- Providing medical check-ups to children, helping to ensure good health.
Food and agriculture
- Training farmers on improved agricultural methods, increasing crop production, and food security.
HIV and AIDS
- Supporting orphaned and vulnerable children with school supplies, farm materials, and medicines, improving their well-being.
Water and sanitation
- Constructing latrines, improving sanitation.
- Implementing water systems, increasing access to safe water.
Economic development
- Assisting people in establishing income-generating activities to meet the needs of their families.
Prayer requests for Ethiopia
- Pray that sponsored children might be open to God’s love and grace.
- Pray that churches and families will respond to God’s call to care for orphans and widows, especially those affected by HIV and AIDS.
- Pray for stable and favorable weather conditions so that crops grow abundantly.
