Ethiopia is one of Africa’s poorest countries: over 80 per cent of Ethiopia’s 77 million people live below the poverty line, 10 million of whom are at risk of starvation. The country is extremely dependent on agriculture, and its poorest people were highly affected by the global surge in food prices in 2008. It remains vulnerable to climate change as failed seasonal rains have left this country repeatedly on the brink of famine.
Health indicators in Ethiopia are among the worst in the world. Preventable disease counts for at least 60 per cent of health problems in the country. One of the main causes of serious illnesses and death is malaria, as many people do not have access to effective treatment and preventative care.
Ethiopia also faces severe shortages of clean water and poor sanitation. In areas where Merlin is working, only 17 per cent of people have access to clean water. Diarrhoeal diseases are common as people are forced to use contaminated water supplies and do not have access to toilets and washing facilities.
HOW MERLIN IS HELPING
Merlin has been working in Ethiopia since 2003, improving health care for vulnerable people in some of the most under-served areas of the country. Currently more than 100 Merlin health workers and support staff work in coordination with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health in 10 districts of two regions, all of which are heavily affected by poverty, drought and internal conflict.
Supporting static and mobile clinics
Merlin is supporting 52 health facilities in the Oromiya Region, serving over 180,000 people with comprehensive curative and preventative care. In Somali Region, Merlin is supporting health centres, 13 health posts and 15 mobile clinics locations, all of which administer primary health care to a highly vulnerable population including nomadic people.
Addressing the food crisis
Merlin is running a comprehensive malnutrition prevention programme in the Oromiya Region. 110,378 people received health education about malnutrition between January and March of 2009. Merlin was also selected by the Government of Ethiopia to be its implementation partner for nutritional services in Bale Zone of Oromiya, and we will be embarking on a number of interventions to address malnutrition where it is occurring, while improving knowledge about its causes among the most vulnerable people.
Improving preventative health care
Merlin provided immunisation programmes through outreach and mobile clinics in Oromiya Region, vaccinating over 3,000 children between January and March 2009. Merlin also operates programmes of health promotion, providing information on antenatal care, malaria, tuberculosis, and common childhood illnesses. 110,378 people benefited from these health promotion sessions in Oromiya Region between January and March 2009. We are also improving the infrastructure in Bale, one of the zones within Oromiya, by building new wells, latrines and rainwater harvesting systems, to improve the reliability and quality of the water supply used by local people.
Key achievements
- Continuing to support a total of 65 health facilities in Somali and Oromiya Regions, serving a population of 408,570
- Two mass vaccinations were supported in Sawena and Raiytu in January and February respectively
- An emergency team went to Borena Zone, Southern Oromiya Region in May 2009 to support the Ministry of Health’s efforts to control an ongoing cholera outbreak
- A total of 51,660 consultations were provided between January and March of 2009 in the Eastern Bale Zone of Oromiya Region
Donors supporting Merlin's work
United Nations – Humanitarian Response Fund (UN-HRF), European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), OFDA
Read more about Ethiopia
FIELD DIARY: Bringing clean water to a desperate community
21 Mar 07: Carolyn Miller, Merlin's Chief Executive gives a personal account of her field trip to Ethiopia
EYEWITNESS: Ethiopia floods
22 Jan 07: Project Medical Co-ordinator Rachael Cummings descibes Merlin's work following severe flooding in the West Imey region
The importance of clean water in Ethiopia
28 Apr 05: Bruck W. Aregai, Water and Sanitation Co-ordinator, explains the difference that Merlin's clean water programmes are making in Ethiopia
FIELD DIARY: Life as a water and sanitation intern
30 Sep 03: Brett Maynard describes life as a water and sanitation intern in Ethiopia
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