Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries with over half of its population surviving on less than $2 a day. People are still trying to cope with the terrible famine that struck the country in 2003. No rain for four consecutive years meant that there were no crops and no food to eat.
Most people heavily depend on agriculture and their livestock. In the Somali region of Ogaden southeast of the country pastoral communities have existed for decades and have been struggling to survive through the famine.
Water is also a huge problem in these communities. It is estimated that over 2.7 million people in this region alone do not have access to safe drinking water.
HAI in Ethiopia
Human Appeal International has been primarily focusing on working with the ethnic Somalis and refugees that fled neighbouring Somalia due to internal conflict in the country. This region has the lowest standard of living in the country.
HAI has an extensive water scheme programme being implemented through its partner organisation in the Ogaden region. HAI has installed over 20 tube bore wells in various districts such as Jigjiga and Gode; this has had a significant impact and is making a real difference to the lives of many.
HAI has a comprehensive orphan sponsorship programme and continues to implement the Qurbani Ramadan and feed the fasting projects annually.
