Ethiopia

Ethiopia has had more than its share of difficulties. Terrible wars, drought, and substantial refugee problems have left the country in a weakened state. The human rights and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia has deteriorated further, with civilians impacted by a devastating civil war in Tigray, and deadly ethnic violence in other regions. 

While GDP growth has remained high, based on high saving and high investment, per capita income is among the lowest in the world. Many people struggle to survive in this conflict-torn country. Food insecurity and poor agriculture, in addition to lack of access to education, health care, clean water, and sanitation have all contributed to Ethiopia’s weakened state.

Hungry For Life’s partner, Simple Acts of Kindness (SAK), focuses on ministering to the people of Korah, a massive garbage dump in Addis Ababa. The community of Korah was founded over 80 years ago, when the first leprosy hospital opened. In order to keep the people with leprosy isolated from the rest of the population, the hospital was allowed to open only on a property far away from the city. People who were treated in the hospital resided around the garbage dump and close to the hospital. This was how the Korah community was born. 

After 85 years, Addis Ababa expanded and the garbage dump is now encircled by the city. Korah is home to more than 200,000 people, many of them living in extreme poverty and struggling to survive. Although the garbage dump is a hazardous site, people depend on it for food and they spend their days digging to find both food and valuable garbage. People are struggling to survive as a result of rampant diseases and illnesses, lack of access to formal education for the children, and the lack of basic necessities such as clean water and social facilities for all. 

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