Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa with a population of over 120 million people.
It is Africa's oldest independent country and a founder member of the United Nations.
Ethiopia has made strides in reducing poverty and improving economic growth in the last two decades. Erratic rainfall is still leading to chronic food insecurity in many districts. Recent conflict in northern Ethiopia has also impacted negatively on the country.
Ireland has worked in Ethiopia since 1994. We partner with the Government, UN agencies and Irish and international NGOs.
Background
Significant progress has been made on economic progress and development, but food security remains fragile.
Ethiopia has faced multiple complex crises in recent years. This includes conflict in the north which halted basic services, and a sixth season of drought in the south and south-east. This disrupted livelihoods and resulted in mass internal displacement of people.
Providing humanitarian assistance
By mid-2023 an unprecedented 28 million Ethiopians were in need of humanitarian support.
Ireland provided over €40m in assistance in 2022. This included €25m to respond to the extensive humanitarian needs. Ireland’s largest partner, the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund, provided $62m in 2022, alleviating the most severe needs. New partnerships were also developed to reach those in need.
Irish Aid
Irish Aid works in Ethiopia under five main policy areas:
Gender equality
Putting women and girls at the centre of all it does is a core approach for Ireland in Ethiopia. Ireland adopts a twin track approach, using political and diplomatic engagement to advance gender equality. We support programmes that specifically address barriers to women’s rights.
This engagement focuses on three main areas:
- Women and Leadership
- Women, Peace and Security
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights, including issues relating to Gender Based Violence (GBV)
Supporting gender equality
In Somali and Afar regions, for example, Ireland is supporting an initiative to address Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, both of which negatively affect the lives of women and girls.
Ireland is working with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls. Funding to maternal and child health is also prioritised. This includes training for midwives, prevention of mother to child HIV transmission and family planning.
Strengthening democracy
Ireland is working in Ethiopia to build peace and to strengthen democratic governance. At national and regional levels, Ireland supports locally led, inclusive dialogue to build consensus and trust. At community level, it is working through partner NGOs and church organisations to promote inter-community reconciliation and understanding.
At the wider regional level, Ireland is engaged with the African Union Peace and Security Department and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote peace and security and regional climate adaptation.
There is a particular focus on the role and importance of women in peace and security processes. In the Somali region, Ireland’s Embassy in Addis Ababa worked with Conciliation Resources and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support a joint inter-party women’s dialogue to encourage more women to join the political process.
Responding to humanitarian need
Ireland has scaled up its humanitarian response in Ethiopia. This is due to the impact of climate change in the Somalia and Oromia regions and conflict in northern Ethiopia – in particular in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions.
This support is done through the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund, managed through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), other UN agencies, and a range of international and Irish NGOs.
In 2022, the Horn of Africa experienced the worst drought in 40 years. This led to a widespread food crisis. Ireland provided an additional €30 million in humanitarian aid to respond. Some of this fund was allocated to Ethiopia.
Food and nutrition
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for Ethiopia. Ireland supports the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP). This provides some of the most vulnerable households in Ethiopia with cash and food in return for work on projects such as land rehabilitation. Millions of people benefit from this programme each year.
This support helps vulnerable families to adapt to drought and rising food prices. It is focused on the most vulnerable, especially families headed by women.
Improving community awareness of gender equality
Tufah is 17 and knows about the harmful practices women in her community can face.
Early marriage, female-genital mutilation (FGM) and violence are just some dangers women and girls contend with.
With the help of Irish Aid, Tufah and three friends were encouraged to start a school gender club in their village. The club, which now has 15 members, helps to educate the community about women’s rights.
“Our club name entitled “Horsed” meaning “vanguard",” she says. “We called it that because of our firm belief in women taking action to solve their problems and making their own decisions.
“We regularly organize and conduct community awareness events on gender equality. We provide education to students and other community members through drama and music.”
Tufah says the club is having a big impact. People’s attitudes are changing. They are learning more about the dangers of certain practices and of the rights women have to lead safe and peaceful lives.
“Our club has contributed to reducing harmful traditional practices,” she said. “Though the results have been encouraging, there is still a long way to go to make bold and necessary change in our community.”
Social protection
Ireland supports the Ethiopia Social Accountability Programme to deliver health, education and HIV and AIDS services. This has resulted in improvements in access to water and better maternal health facilities. Education services have also improved with additional classrooms provided in schools, extra tuition for pupils and separate toilet facilities for girls.
Ireland also funds the Civil Society Support Programme. This programme contributes to development, poverty reduction and the advancement of good governance. Communities are now involved in identifying the needs of their own areas and making proposals for improvements.
Decisions on priorities are made in consultation between local authorities and communities. These decisions take account of the needs of all, including the most marginalised groups.