Self Help Africa began its work in Ethiopia in the wake of the terrible famine of 1984.
Securing funding and support from a range of organisations in Ireland, the organisation first intervention was a shipment of seed potatoes to the country, followed by consignments of tools and equipment.
The organisation undertook it's first integrataed development programme at Adami Tulu in Oromia (1987-1990). an initiative that was made possible in part by more than $1million in funding received from Bob Geldof's Band Aid Trust.
The organisation subsequently carried out five-year area based integrated development programmes at a number of locations, including Meki, Marako, Alemaya, Dodota, Sodo.
Self Help Africa is currently carrying out five year integrated food and livelihood security development programmes at Sodo, Alemaya, Bora and Huruta, and two regional programmes to develop agricultural co-operatives, and to develop savings and credit structures in the country. |
Situated in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is Africa's oldest independent country. Apart from a five-year occupation by Mussolini's Italy, it has never been colonised.
Regrettably, the nation is better known for its periodic droughts and famines, its long civil conflict, and a border war with neighbouring Eritrea. It was following one of it's most devastating famines, in 1984, that Self Help Africa was first established.
Economy: A predominent agrarian society, Ethiopia depends heavily on agriculture, which is often affected by drought. Coffee is a key export, and vulnerable to international price fluctuations.
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