Country Information

Founded: 300BCE
Land Area: 1,127,127 Square Kilometers (almost twice the size of Texas)
Climate: Tropical Monsoon with wide variations
Agricultural Land Usability: 10%
Natural Hazards: Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes
Environmental issues: Deforestation, overgrazing of livestock, water shortages nationwide

The People

Population: 74,777,981
Infant Mortality Rate: 94 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 49 years
Major Diseases: Very high risk: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitus E, Malaria, cutaneous leishmaniasis (in some areas). 1.5 Million People live with HIV/AIDS, 120,000 die of HIV/AIDS each year.
Religions: 50% Muslim, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%, Animist 12%
Literacy Rate: 43%
Unemployment rate: unknown
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: more than 50%, precise numbers unknown

Special Conditions

Refugees from Sudan 16,451; from Somalia 16,470; and from Eritrea 8,719

Identifying the Need

Devastating droughts in recent years have collapsed the already fragile agricultural network. Therefore food aid is a dire need for the mere survival of many Ethiopians.

The intensely poor medical conditions demand swift action for medical aid in the form of localized clinics.

Poor education creates a limited source of options for jobs and incomes.

How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded

For many years we have been able to provide Udhiya meats and Ramadan food distribution.

In 2006 we partnered with ICO to establish a school.

At the cost of $35,000 we were able to pay for the complete construction of the primary school building with classes.

We look forward to assisting Ethiopia’s future development.