Ethiopia: Living on the Edge of Disaster
Ethiopia has large amounts of potentially rich farmland but much of the country is seriously threatened by environmental degradation caused by overfarming and overgrazing. Desertification is a serious risk in much of the country. Given that Ethiopians are mostly poor subsistence farmers, environmental change or even poor weather can spell disaster.
Famine has been distressingly common in Ethiopian history, and the most famous famine, from 1983 to 1985 killed hundreds of thousands of people. In the West, it is probably best known as the inspiration for the Live Aid concerts, which raised tens of millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia. Ethiopia remains heavily reliant on foreign aid in order to assist in development projects and to buy food in case of famine.
Famine has been distressingly common in Ethiopian history, and the most famous famine, from 1983 to 1985 killed hundreds of thousands of people. In the West, it is probably best known as the inspiration for the Live Aid concerts, which raised tens of millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia. Ethiopia remains heavily reliant on foreign aid in order to assist in development projects and to buy food in case of famine.
Finding Solutions for Ethiopia
While Ethiopia receives hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid every year, solutions for Ethiopia's economic and environmental problems are hard to find. All of the foreign money that comes to Ethiopia makes the local money less valuable, which increases hardship for Ethiopians, especially those who live in towns and cities and rely more on money than farmers do. While foreign food and goods are often badly needed, they also often make it hard for Ethiopian-made goods to succeed, as they cannot compete with products made in wealthy Western nations.
Ethiopians have, however, started to find means of dealing with their economic problems, such as increasing trade with neighbouring African countries and, with foreign assistance, building hydroelectric dams to produce power both for local consumption and to be sold. Non-governmental agencies, or NGOs are helping out individuals to establish small businesses that allow them to earn money and gain new skills, increasing their standard of living. More and more schools are being built in Ethiopia and literacy rates have increased enormously in recent decades.
Ethiopians have, however, started to find means of dealing with their economic problems, such as increasing trade with neighbouring African countries and, with foreign assistance, building hydroelectric dams to produce power both for local consumption and to be sold. Non-governmental agencies, or NGOs are helping out individuals to establish small businesses that allow them to earn money and gain new skills, increasing their standard of living. More and more schools are being built in Ethiopia and literacy rates have increased enormously in recent decades.
A Short Video About NGO Work in Ethiopia
A Glimmer of Hope is an NGO organization working towards facilitating sustainable development and poverty reduction in Ethiopia.
Sources and Links
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Ethiopia-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983–1985_famine_in_Ethiopia
http://www.youtube.com/user/aglimmerofhopeorg?feature=watch
http://www.aglimmerofhope.org/home
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983–1985_famine_in_Ethiopia
http://www.youtube.com/user/aglimmerofhopeorg?feature=watch
http://www.aglimmerofhope.org/home
Ideas for Further Inquiry
1.) Ethiopia receives hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid every year and yet remains one of the poorest countries on Earth. Why do you think this is?
2.) The NGO organization A Glimmer of Hope has worked in Ethiopia extensively. Do you think that their optimism about ending poverty is warranted? Why or why not?
3.) Ethiopia faces serious environmental problems, but also must feed its vast and growing population. Do you think the two can be done at the same time, or must Ethiopians choose one or the other?
2.) The NGO organization A Glimmer of Hope has worked in Ethiopia extensively. Do you think that their optimism about ending poverty is warranted? Why or why not?
3.) Ethiopia faces serious environmental problems, but also must feed its vast and growing population. Do you think the two can be done at the same time, or must Ethiopians choose one or the other?