Ethiopia

On the western border of Somalia, Ethiopia maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. The country has experienced political instability and border-conflicts, and it is currently host to over 85,000 refugees and nearly 200,000 internally displaced persons. Like many countries in western Africa, Ethiopia is faced with environmental challenges of deforestation and overgrazing, soil erosion and desertification. In some areas, water-intensive farming has lead to water shortages. Counterpart has focused its projects on enhancing the conservation of biodiversity while fostering economic development through sustainable tourism services and opportunities. The programming also integrates HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness activities, to address the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country.