With over 105 million, Ethiopia has the second largest population in Africa. Almost 45% of them are 14 years or younger. Over 80% of the population lives in rural areas, where access to clean water is often challenging. 

Ethiopia is considered to be politically stable and has achieved great success in the areas of poverty reduction, education and health in recent decades, but still faces major challenges: almost one in three (30%) lives below the poverty line, and over 20% of small children are malnourished.

Ethiopia depends on agricultural production, however, population pressures have led to deforestation, overgrazing, and erosion. Climate change is resulting in prolonged droughts and food crises.

ChildFund programs are focused on poverty reduction, the advancement of women, resource protection, and sustainable agricultural management.