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Ethiopia

Country profile

Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has recently emerged from civil war and from a disastrous war with Eritrea which cost tens of thousands of lives and millions of dollars. Of its about 71 million population, the vast majorty liv in poverty on fragmented, small farms under extremely hard conditions.

Food insecurity and HIV/AIDS

Many millions are food insecure, and at least 7 milion are permanently forced to rely on food aid for survival. Unofficial sources estimate the HIV/AIDS pandemic to affect at least ten per cent of the population between 15 and 49 years old. Millions will die from the disease, and the country risks an even greater spread of the infection to rural communities which have little access to basic information on prevention and control methods.

Fragile democratic system

Ethiopia has a fragile democratic system, but years of dictatorship have left the people distrustful, afraid to organisae and to defend their rights. A true democracy is slowly being built from the botton, but the government keeps a strict eye on independent organisations and on any opposition to its hold on power.

More about Ethiopia