The country hosts people displaced by cross-border movements due to drought, conflict, political upheaval and civil wars in neighbouring countries (Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan). There are also large numbers of internally displaced persons, initially forced to move due to drought. This number has constantly increased due to the ongoing conflicts in neighbouring countries and the food crisis which has affected the region since 2011. According to the United Nations, the country will continue to take in large numbers of asylum seekers from neighbouring countries due to its geographic location and the weather events and geopolitical events in the region.
Over the last 15 years, Ethiopia has undergone significant economic and social changes and has recorded some of the highest growth rates in the world-over 10 % in some years. However, Ethiopia’s Human Development Index (HDI) and its relative ranking have not moved significantly during the past decade. Health services are limited, notably those dedicated to people with disabilities. Ethiopia is also one of the Sub-Saharan African countries the worst affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Number of Handicap International staff members: 60
Date the programme opened: 1986
