CEO Update

Our CEO Sharon Elliott was recently in Ethiopia and she has an update on the current situation and the incredible work being done by our partner in the field. Here’s what she has to say:

As you may be aware, the past months and  past years have indeed been extremely difficult for millions of people in Ethiopia.  

Inflation continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing the Ethiopian people. Ethiopia has one of the highest inflation rates of any country in the world – around five times higher than what we’ve been seeing in Canada. This of course is having a huge impact on people’s lives.  

Many daily essentials are now so expensive that millions are simply unable to afford the food and basic goods they need to survive.  

Our partners bear the burden of these massively increased prices, and are also finding that there are many, many more people in need of their assistance given the huge impact that prices are having on people who already have very little.   

The State of Emergency in the Amhara Region that was declared in August 2023 was extended in February of this year. Although it has now technically ended, the government has made no apparent move to announce an end to the restrictions imposed by the State of Emergency, and life continues to be very hard for the people in the region. Communications are limited and sporadic violence and fighting are widespread. We have a number of partners who operate in this region, and despite the challenging situation, they are more committed than ever to the people who need their help.  

In the Afar region, renewed violence has caused displacement of thousands of people who are now seeking shelter in government camps. Our partner, Afar Pastoralist Development Association, is working around the clock to provide relief to these people, as well as thousands of others who are without clean drinking water or have been isolated due to exceptionally heavy seasonal rains.  

APDA has reported to us that ‘the overall impression is one of extreme humanitarian need’. The greatest needs that they have identified are shelter, food, medical care and disease protection. In addition, they have stressed the overarching requirement for continued literacy programs which are vital in teaching communities about problem solving, social protection and future-building.  

APDA is continuing its programs in education and health with their trademark determination in the face of hardship, and we will continue to support them in any way possible.  

In regard to cholera, you may recall that Ethiopiaid provided emergency funds to assist with APDA’s rapid response to an outbreak in the Afar region some months ago. APDA has described this funding as “utterly lifesaving” and reported that the quick turnaround of funds and deployment saved thousands of people from falling ill and possibly dying.  

We are so, so grateful to have been able to provide emergency funding in that time of absolute crisis. While cholera is by no means a problem of the past in Ethiopia, we can be certain that without this early response, the disease would have rapidly spread beyond the boundaries of the affected area. Valerie Browning, who led APDA’s rapid response to this outbreak, said that further spread would have caused dire havoc for overall disease control.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As ever, I am so profoundly grateful to each and every one of you for the support you continue to offer to the communities of Ethiopia. Despite difficult times, it is heartening to know that there are so many people here in Canada who care so deeply. It keeps us going, and it fills me with hope for a better future for the people of Ethiopia.