With a population of over 123 million, Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous country and one of diverse landscapes, cultures and religions. Nearly 80 per cent of its people reside in rural areas, and almost 60 per cent are under the age of 25. Among the world’s poorest countries, Ethiopia has suffered conflict for decades along with widespread natural disasters including drought, disease and hunger.
The two-year war between the Ethiopian federal government and Eritrea on one side and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on the other that ended November 2022 caused a massive humanitarian crisis. Fought primarily in the Tigray region, the war expanded into neighboring Afar and Amhara, affecting more than 20 million people, leaving thousands dead, millions displaced (including into neighbouring Sudan) and millions more needing assistance.
Recurring droughts, coupled with the effects of conflict, have created severe food insecurity across the country. Millions of people are facing difficulty accessing food due to the destruction of farms and crops and the combined effects of low household incomes and high food prices. The situation is particularly concerning in Tigray where many areas are hard to reach, and food assistance is insufficient.
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada has been supporting projects in Ethiopia for decades, working with various partners to provide humanitarian aid and support longer-term development.
In the Tigray Region, our response to the crisis seeks to improve food security for drought- and conflict-affected people through a combination of emergency and recovery initiatives, including the distribution of food and agricultural seeds and tools. Providing seeds not only helps households meet immediate food requirements but also ensures the recovery of their livelihoods by creating seed reserves seeds for future planting seasons. Our response also focuses on improving the wellbeing and livelihoods of women, by providing them with dignity kits, psychosocial support services and business management skills training.
With support from Canadian Foodgrains Bank, we have helped local partners in the Amhara and Afar regions provide monthly food baskets to families displaced by the conflict.
With funding from Global Affairs Canada, we also supported Ethiopian refugees, especially women and girls, in neighbouring Sudan, in the Tunaydbah Refugee Settlement in Gedaref State. There, in designated safe spaces for women and girls and in community centres, our two-year project (2022-2024) provided comprehensive services to at-risk refugees and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), including psychological support and referrals; life skills and recreational activities; and cash assistance. The project also focused on preventing GBV and other risks through outreach activities and awareness-raising campaigns, as well as by providing energy kits (fuel-efficient stoves and portable solar lights) and essential hygiene and sanitation products (including for menstrual hygiene).
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Development and Peace — Caritas Canada is the official international solidarity organization of the Catholic Church in Canada and the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis.
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