Ethiopia - Humanitarian Assistance for Drought-Affected Households - CARE Canada 2018

March 2018 – Ethiopia is facing a fourth consecutive year of drought affecting large areas in the south and east of the country. Recent assessments indicate that almost 8 million people require emergency food assistance and 3.85 million children face acute malnutrition. More than 6 million people are without access to safe drinking water. The effects of the drought have exacerbated ethnic conflicts along the border between the Oromia and Somali regions displacing an estimated 1.5 million people over the past year. With GAC’s support CARE Canada is providing water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihoods assistance to an estimated 36 000 displaced persons and host community members in the badly drought-affected Somali region of Ethiopia. Project activities include: (1) the rehabilitation and improvement of safe water sources; (2) the construction of communal latrines; and (3) providing cash-for-work opportunities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to safe water and sanitation; and (2) protected assets and livelihoods and reduced use of negative coping strategies amongst drought-affected households. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.