Why World Vision is in Ethiopia

Ethiopia still ranks as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. In April 2018, a new prime minister came to power. He’s made many positive reforms, including signing a peace treaty with Eritrea, giving women significant political positions, and releasing political prisoners and journalists from prison. Despite these ongoing reforms, many people are still affected by ethnic-based conflicts in some parts of the country. More than a million people are displaced from their homes because of violence and instability from these conflicts. And the country hosts nearly 1 million refugees from places like South Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia. Thanks to the support of our partners, over 6 million people benefitted from our programs. More people have access to clean water and communities are learning how to manage their water systems so they’re long-lasting. Through programs focused on food security, farmers are growing — and cooking with — nutritious food so their families are healthier. In our work to strengthen job opportunities and training, we’re paying special attention to the most vulnerable, like pregnant mothers or people with disabilities, so they can have stable sources of income for their families. Mothers and fathers are learning good parenting skills, so child marriages aren’t encouraged and parents raise kids with love and care. Through school programs, kids are reading better and getting access to better quality basic education. Young adults are developing skills for jobs later in life, and adults or kids who can’t go to school are getting vocational training so they can earn a living. Along with partners, we responded to refugees in need, especially women and children, and people affected by drought, with basics like food and water and economic support like job training.

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Ethiopia Education
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Progress in Ethiopia


Child Protection and Care


  • Within communities in Ethiopia, a wide variety of people are learning about children's rights, including parents, community members, and children themselves. By learning what children's rights are and how to identify abuse of those rights, the training equips the community to keep kids safe.

Healthy Children and Families


  • In Ethiopia, World Vision is providing a variety of resources to parents and caregivers so that kids have the opportunity to benefit from nutritious meals on a regular basis. For example, parents received training on good nutrition practices and quality meal preparation techniques using locally available ingredients. Additionally, families received seeds and other resources to support their farms, which has the potential to not only improve kid's access to healthy food but also families incomes.
  • Increasing access to clean water closer to home was a priority in Ethiopia this past year. World Vision supported many communities to create safe drinking water sources closer to home. Additionally, parents learned how to disinfect surface water when necessary.

Education for Better Lives


  • Schools are getting upgrades so that kids can learn in an improved environment. Not only were classrooms renovated, resources such as latrines, books, and library resources were invested in schools. Additionally, teachers received professional development to equip them with improved teaching methods.
  • Kids had access to an increasing number of resources designed to help them improve and practice their reading. Reading camps were a key way that kids received additional support to advance their literacy skills.

Prayer Requests from Ethiopia

World Vision's staff in Ethiopia are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:

  • Peace and stability for people all over the country.


  • A unified culture for our staff as we continue to work for communities’ transformation.


News from Ethiopia

From the Field

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