About us

• What is WaterAid?
• About Ethiopia
• WaterAid in Ethiopia
• WaterAid's vision
• WaterAid Ethiopia's overall aim
• Ethiopia Country Strategy

What is WaterAid?

WaterAid is an international non-government organisation dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people. It was established in 1981 in response to the UN Water Decade (1981-1990).

WaterAid works in 17 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region. Ethiopia is one of them.

WaterAid aims to work through partner organisations to help poor people achieve sustainable improvements in their quality of life by improving domestic water supply, sanitation and hygiene. WaterAid's work is based on clear principles including working in partnership with local organisations, supporting community management, and using cost effective and appropriate technologies that local people can operate and maintain.

About Ethiopia

Ethiopia, the fourth largest country in Africa, is one of the poorest that WaterAid works in. It is very mountainous and most of the population live in scattered rural communities on the temperate fertile plateau in the centre and south of the country.

In terms of access to safe water and sanitation facilities, Ethiopia ranks among the lowest in the world. Only 24% of the population have access to safe water supplies, while only 15% have adequate sanitation. Water related diseases are rife and health services are limited.

WaterAid in Ethiopia

WaterAid started funding projects in Ethiopia in 1983 and began working through established non-government organisations (NGOs) in 1986. Since 1991, when the country office was set up, WaterAid has worked with an increasing number of partner organisations including six local NGOs, two of which work in urban slums in Addis Ababa.

Download WaterAid Ethiopia at a glance ( PDF 165Kb)

Download Sanitation work summary - Ethiopia (  PDF 16Kb)

WaterAid's vision

WaterAid's vision is a world where everyone has access to safe water and effective sanitation.

WaterAid Ethiopia's overall aim

WaterAid Ethiopia's overall aim is to improve the livelihoods of poor people through safe and adequate water supply, appropriate sanitation and hygiene promotion services.

WaterAid Country Strategy

WaterAid's work in Ethiopia is governed by its new Country Strategy. This highlights WaterAid's interest in increasing the extent and range of work carried out in water provision, sanitation and hygiene promotion. More emphasis is also given to advocacy and influencing water and sanitation policies in Ethiopia.