SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia 3160 views

Ethiopia is currently suffering one of the worst droughts in more than 50 years, around 10.2 million people are in need of food aid and 300,000 children are undernourished. It was against the background of another disastrous drought in 1974 that SOS Children’s Villages started working in Ethiopia. In the decades since, a series of droughts have hit the country and we have increased our activities to support vulnerable families and children.

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia
Strengthening families: We work with local groups to support families who are at risk of breaking down. Our assistance includes material assistance and counselling for parents and children. In 2015, we reached over 12,000 children.

Care in SOS families: If, in spite of all assistance, children cannot live with their families, they can find a new home in one of the SOS Children’s Villages. In 2015, over 2000 children were growing up in SOS families. Some of these families live in houses integrated in the community.

Support for young people: We provide young people with support and training until they are able to live independently.

Education: We run kindergartens in seven locations. Older children can attend one of our seven schools, which provide primary and secondary children for over 4500 pupils.

Medical care: Due to the scarcity of affordable medical care, SOS Children’s Villages set up medical centres. These provide impatient and outpatient treatment to pregnant women, as well as to mothers, babies and children. We also run workshops on health subjects. Most of our patients come from local families, who could otherwise not afford to receive treatment.

Emergency programme: SOS Children`s Villages is currently working with the government and other agencies in order to deliver emergency aid to families affected by the drought and famine. We are planning to provide emergency food, access to sanitation facilities and clean water, medical care, emergency shelter and non-food items. We will also increase our child protection activities. Our long-term project includes building resilience so that communities are strengthened and prepared for future environmental disasters.