Our work in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country with a rich cultural and religious heritage and deep history. It is the second most populous country in Africa and home to one of the continent’s fastest growing economies. 

Ethiopia has made significant development gains in education, health, and food security over the past decade, but challenges remain. Hunger in Ethiopia is widespread and around 13.2 million people experience food insecurity (World Food Programme). Political turmoil, civil unrest and the effects of climate change are exacerbating this issue.

​Focus issues in Ethiopia

Food security

Ethiopia faces widespread food insecurity. Millions of people experience hunger due to poverty and droughts. Many smallholder farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture, which is increasingly affected by climate change, causing unpredictable crop yields and food shortages. 

Poverty and economic inequality

The uneven distribution of economic resources and opportunities has driven Ethiopia’s poverty rate to concerning highs. Many communities lack access to stable incomes, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks. This inequality limits access to education and healthcare, further worsening poverty. 

Environmental conservation and climate change

Environmental degradation is a severe challenge in Ethiopia, where deforestation and soil erosion negatively affect agricultural productivity and threaten natural resources. Climate change worsens these issues, causing more frequent droughts and unpredictable weather, which directly impact food and water availability. 

Education and skill training

In many parts of Ethiopia, children and adults lack access to quality education and job training. This limits their opportunities for stable jobs and better living conditions, contributing to continuous cycles of poverty and economic inequality. 

Expanding access to education and vocational training can support individuals in building sustainable livelihoods, contributing to the resilience and growth of entire communities.

Gender inequality and social inclusion

Gender inequality in Ethiopia remains a significant challenge to community development, limiting women’s access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Cultural expectations can limit their roles and keep them from making decisions about their lives and on behalf of their families. 

Healthcare and nutrition

Many people in Ethiopia lack access to basic healthcare, especially in rural areas, leading to poor health and high rates of malnutrition. There is a shortage of trained healthcare workers throughout the country and high rates of disease. Maternal health and nutrition is particularly impacted by the lack of resources available in rural communities. Non-governmental and aid organizations provide crucial health services, nutrition programs and health education.

Quick facts about Ethiopia

• The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, which serves as the country’s political and cultural hub.
• Ethiopia’s population is over 133 million and it ranks as one of the most populous nations in Africa.
• Ethiopia’s language is predominantly Amharic (official), though many regional languages are spoken, highlighting the country’s rich cultural diversity.
• The population is divided between Christianity and Islam, reflecting the importance of Ethiopia’s spiritual heritage. 
• Agriculture in Ethiopia is vital to its economy, contributing nearly 40% of the GDP and employing a large share of the workforce. (USAID)
• Ethiopia has an ancient history and is considered the oldest independent country in Africa. It was never colonized except for a five-year Italian occupation from 1936–1941. 
• Ethiopia is located in East Africa and bordered by Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan.​

Hunger and poverty statistics

• The 2024 Global Hunger Index ranks Ethiopia 102 out of 127 countries, indicating a “serious” level of hunger.

• Around 36.8% of children under five suffer from stunting due to chronic malnutrition. (Global Nutrition Report)

• Approximately 15.8 million individuals in Ethiopia need food support in 2024, including around 4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have left their homes due to conflict or severe drought. (World Food Programme)

Initiatives for sustainable self-reliance

We have been active in Ethiopia since 2004 partnering with empowered communities to end their own hunger and poverty. Throughout Africa, we work to build sustainable community-based programs using the Epicenter Strategy. 

Through this integrated approach to rural development we support communities’ access to the basic services needed to lead lives of self-reliance and achieve internationally agreed-upon markers of success, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Community-led reforestation

Environmental issues in Ethiopia, such as soil erosion and land degradation, are critical challenges that impact agriculture and food security. Ethiopia loses 2 billion tons of fertile soil due to land degradation each year. 

To restore the land, THP-Ethiopia and WeForest launched a collaborative, community-led forest restoration and land rehabilitation program in 2017, working with community partners to advance reforestation efforts by planting 3 million trees.

Additionally, The Hunger Project has trained communities in sustainable agricultural practices, including techniques to stop cattle from grazing in the growing forests, produce and promote ecological cooking stoves and bricks, and replace timber for construction.

The dual goal of the reforestation project is to rehabilitate and protect the environment and improve local communities’ livelihoods. By incorporating trees into their farming practices, farmers can diversify their income streams. Land restoration also improves agricultural yields, community members’ nutrition and health outcomes.

Clean water and healthy nutrition access 

Addressing challenges related to clean water and nutrition access remains a priority. We collaborate with local leaders to drill new boreholes, rehabilitate existing water sources, and conduct training on water and sanitation practices. 

Additionally, we provide training in internationally recognized strategies for combating malnutrition, focusing on Multiple Micronutrients Supplementation (MMS) and Essential Nutrition Actions (ENAs). These trainings specifically target maternal and newborn health and are paired with water and sanitation (WASH) training aimed to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community.

At the National and regional level we are advocating for better nutrition practices and policies to address the root causes of hunger. Together with local associations, we are asking for the enhancement of service provision, effective implementation of Food and Nutrition policy and strategies and the empowerment of civil society organizations and community-based organizations. 

Strengthening Civil Society 

A strong civil society is key to creating a world without hunger. In Ethiopia, we work with communities to foster their capacity to advance democracy. Our work encourages participation in local democracy and engagement with community leaders to ensure that every person understands their fundamental rights. We also work with local governments to administer programs that advance the Sustainable Development Goals.