Situation update

World Food Program, Ethiopia

In April, the World Food Program issued a dire warning about the situation in Ethiopia. Malnutrition and widespread humanitarian needs are increasing and made worse by the devastation of continuing drought in much of the country.

WFP reported that:

• 10 million people were already facing hunger and malnutrition across Ethiopia.
• Malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with 4.4 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and children in need of treatment.
• In some regions, including Afar, child wasting has surpassed the 15 percent emergency threshold
• Poor rainfall so far in 2025 means increasingly serious drought conditions

WHAT’S NEEDED NOW

Valerie Browning confirms what the World Food Programme has reported: the short rains expected in March and April were almost non existent. At the time of writing, some regions have gone nearly 11 months without rainfall.
With the help of Ethiopiaid, APDA continues to deliver mobile health and education services to more than 700,000 nomadic Afar people living in remote areas that can’t be reached by road. Among the most urgent needs right now are water trucking and livestock support. Right now, over 90,000 people in Kori and Dubte are relying on APDA-operated water trucks for survival, which cost $1,250 per day to run.
At the same time, veterinary medicines and animal feed are needed for approximately 5,000 households who rely on their livestock for survival. It costs $3.55 for one month’s worth of feed (9kg).

Christmas appeal impact

“…it’s like giving their life back”

In light of the USAID freeze, this first half of the year has been worrying for our project partners, particularly partners operating in the health and maternal health spaces.  That’s why your generosity during our Fistula Christmas Appeal meant so much. We are blown away to report that you’ve raised $71,000  – and counting!

“On behalf of our fistula patients, I want to say thank you again. Curing obstetric fistula is like giving [them] their life back. I can’t tell you how much we are appreciating your support.” – Dr Ambaye, Senior Fistula Surgeon & Founder, Hope of Light

Your donations go towards identifying, treating and preventing fistula. more broadly, your ongoing care is helping to decrease maternal mortality rates, train more professionals in the treatment of a condition which is almost 100% treatable in countries such as Canada, and make inroads into the estimated 142,000 women who still live, ashamed and alone, with fistula. Every gift – no matter the size – fuels this work. We couldn’t do it without you.

Hope after heartbreak: Keriya’s path to recovery

In Ethiopia, becoming a mother can be one of the most dangerous things a woman will do in her lifetime.

For four months, Keriya lived with the pain and stigma of incontinence, unaware of its cause. It wasn’t until she heard about obstetric fistula and the specialized treatment available through our partner, Hope of Light, that hope began to return to her life.

Keriya had been married for 13 years and already had two beautiful children when she went into labour with her third child. The labour lasted for 24 agonizing hours and ended in tragedy. Keriya’s baby was stillborn.

To add to the devastation, Keriya developed obstetric fistula as a result of the prolonged labour. She could not control her bladder and was confused and frightened by what it meant for her life.

Despite the trauma, Keriya remained optimistic. As she prepared for surgery, she told the medical team, “I’m so happy to be here. I’m looking forward to being cured.”

(Normally repair surgery costs $962.00 but this is provided free of charge at the Hope of Light hospitals you support.)

Once healed, Keriya returned to her home in Oromia, where she was eager to get back to farming alongside her family and being part of her community again. “I miss working in the fields,” she told the team at the hospital before she left. “I’m ready to go back to the farm and caring for my children.”

DID YOU KNOW:
To find a woman like Keriya who is living with fistula, often in isolation and fear, and transport her to hospital for surgery it costs $122? In Canada that might equal a new pair of shoes or two, or half a week’s worth of groceries for a family; yet in Ethiopia that equals a new life and safer, brighter future for a woman and her family.

Supporter spotlight

Leaving a lasting legacy

“I just wish more people knew about Ethiopia.”

Jennifer has been a dedicated supporter of Ethiopiaid for almost a decade. In this time, she has demonstrated a deep and heartfelt commitment to improving the lives of women and girls in Ethiopia.

Some years ago, Jennifer made the heartfelt decision to leave a gift in her Will to Ethiopiaid.

“I feel very strongly about the appalling situation of women in Ethiopia,” Jennifer says. “I don’t want it to continue. I want it to improve. Particularly now that aid has stopped from the U.S. which has caused a terrible crisis.”

“I hope that anything I can send can alleviate some of the distress of these women for whom I feel huge compassion and sympathy.”

Jennifer’s deep care for the women and children of Ethiopia is a testament to her personal values.

“I particularly want to see the position of women improve,” she says, about the legacy she is creating through a gift in her Will. “I just wish more people knew about Ethiopia. I hope more people are encouraged to donate.”

Turning Celebration into Impact

We’d like to share a wonderful story about one of our incredible supporters, Jocelyn, who turned her birthday into an opportunity to give back. Jocelyn reached out to us, eager to celebrate by inviting her friends and family to support a cause she cares deeply about—Cheshire Ethiopia whose focus is on empowering individuals with disabilities.

To support her initiative, we helped set up a fundraising page that she shared with her loved ones. The response was incredible. Thanks to Jocelyn’s passion and the kindness of her community, she raised an inspiring $719 to support their work. It’s stories like Jocelyn’s that remind us how one person’s kindness can ripple out and create real change.

Meet our project parners

DR AMBAYE WELDEMICHAEL - “Caring for obstetric fistula patients is like giving their life back and restoring their dignity.”

Founder, Executive Director and Senior Fistula Surgeon

Project Partner: Hope of Light

Hope of Light provides surgical treatment and specialised care for women suffering from fistula, while also training medical staff and running community programs to raise awareness and prevention.

VALERIE BROWNING - “Where the road ends, APDA begins.”

Program Director and co-founder 

Project Partner: APDA

For over 30 years, APDA has empowered Afar pastoralist communities through education, healthcare, emergency support, and efforts to end harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation and early marriage.

FASIL AYELE 

Executive Director

Project Partner: Cheshire

Cheshire focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities through innovative rehabilitation programs, educational support, and community-based initiatives, ensuring sustainable impact and fostering an inclusive society across Ethiopia.