Ethiopian Drought: When the Rain Stops Coming

The El Nino weather pattern has significantly impacted the weather patterns around the world. In Ethiopia it started in 2015, limiting agriculture production because anticipated seasonal rains did not come.

Exacerbating the problem, heavy winds have eroded the soil in the better grazing pastures in Eastern Ethiopia.

Extremely dry soil meant that the 2016 crops were not planted, as investment in seed that would not sow did not make sense.  So every day the availability of locally produced food is getting worse.

Local food is essential for those already struggling to survive.  Imported food is expensive and not widely available in rural areas where people grow their own food and sustain their lives on their personal and local community production.

Ethiopia has a population of over 90 million, 80% live in rural areas.  A joint assessment by the Ethiopian government and humanitarian estimate 10.3 million people are suffering the effects of drought and need assistance.  This includes 6 million children under 18.

We know poor nutrition has major impacts on children, stunting growth and leaving prolonged health issues.

We also know the lack of water is having impacts on health beyond food generation.  Water for sanitation is not available and disease and health complications will increase.

When large areas and communities are suffering from significant disruption to food supply, the most vulnerable take the biggest hit.  Protecting for women and children is essential. 

We know that leaving home and travelling for food and water is happening and will continue to occur.  We know that migration often puts women and girls and boys in challenging situations of forced child labour, child trafficking and domestic servitude in order to survive.

SOS Children’s Villages is in a unique position to help.  We have an SOS Village in Harrar, which is surrounded by rural areas in the drought zone.  We have launched an emergency program to assist with water, food, health care as well as child and women protection.

This emergency in Ethiopia is ongoing.  The soil that sustains the rural community will not return with a simple rain.  Nutrient erosion means it will take some time for the communities to recover from this drought.  Some believe if the rains return with too much force, it will further harm recovery, because of flooding and soil deterioration.

SOS Mayday

SOS Children’s Villages has made a commitment to the children of Ethiopia and children around the world that have been affected by a disaster. 

The SOS Mayday program draws upon the generosity of Canadians to ensure that SOS Children’s Villages is able to deploy its emergency operations when the need is greatest. By making a one-time or a monthly gift, your donation will be used as soon as it’s needed and will ensure a speedy response to the emergency at hand.

Canadians understand need in time of emergency and we hope they will respond.