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 26 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 42% of the population have access to safe water supplies, while only 11% have adequate sanitation. Water related diseases are rife and health services are limited.

WaterAid in Ethiopia

WaterAid in Ethiopia works to fund projects that deliver effective, sustainable solutions while providing evidence and experience on which national level influence can be based.

WaterAid begun funding projects in Ethiopia in 1983 and founded the Country Programme office in 1991. WaterAid facilitated the creation of a specialised sector NGO, WaterAction, which became a legal entity in May 1995.

Important developments since 2004 include the opening of field offices and establishment of new partnerships with regional and local government. WaterAid Ethiopia regional offices were established in Benishangul in 2004, Oromia in 2005 and a third office, in the Southern Nations and Nationality People's Region, in 2007.

To date, WaterAid Ethiopia has funded more than 50 water supply and sanitation projects, as well as a number of institutional development and capacity building projects, with total funding exceeding £25 million. So far, more than 900,000 Ethiopians have benefited from WaterAid funded projects. 

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.