Ethiopia is one of the poorest and most drought-prone countries in the world.
We work with our trusted local partner to provide meals to marginalised and disadvantaged children in the impoverished Tigray region in the north of the country, close to the Eritrean border.
Life in Ethiopia
Despite significant improvement in poverty levels in the last two decades in Ethiopia, this is yet to be reflected in the economic growth of the country. The northern state of Tigray, where we work, is a semi-arid region in the north-east of the country which is prone to frequent droughts. This is a main cause of food insecurity, as 83% of the population are subsistence farmers. On top of this, the Tigray region has been torn apart by major conflict since November 2020, leaving close to two million people displaced from their homes.
Schools are currently closed, making it impossible for our school feeding programme to operate. While a number of schools in the area have been destroyed in the conflict, some school buildings have been turned into temporary shelters for internally displaced people and it is likely that many of the children we normally serve are amongst those seeking shelter having had to flee their homes.
Mary's Meals in Ethiopia
There are over 24,000 children enrolled in the 36 schools where our feeding programme is delivered.
Children in these schools are aged between 6 and 12.
During in-school feeding we typically serve the children a traditional Ethiopian dish called Kinche (cracked wheat) and chickpeas, or maize and beans.
