Ethiopia

The most recent Human Development Index places Ethiopia 173 out of 189 countries, despite ongoing overall improvements in reducing poverty since 2000. A significant proportion of the population also remains vulnerable to climatic and other shocks. Ethiopia is still recovering from its worst protracted drought in decades (2016 and 2017), exacerbated by simultaneous internal conflicts. Childhood mortality and stunting, however, have declined substantially in the past seven years but large regional differences still persist.

In 2019, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ travelled to Ethiopia to mark Concern Worldwide’s 50th anniversary and showcase the work being done by Concern in the country. Nationwide presenter Mary Kennedy was joined by our Director of International Programmes Anne O’Mahony as she visited the province of Wollo to examine the impact of donations made by the Irish public to Concern in response to the Ethiopian famine 35 years ago.

In addition, the crew spent time in Addis Ababa to learn more about Concern’s vocational skills programmes. This special edition of Nationwide was broadcast on RTÉ One in January 2019.