CARE International’s history in Ethiopia
CARE started working in Ethiopia in 1984 to help communities facing a devastating drought and famine that killed over one million people.
Since then, our work has expanded to address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability through humanitarian response and long-term development programs.
Today, CARE Ethiopia and our partners work across multiple regions to increase access to food and water, support livelihoods and health services, advance opportunities for women and girls, and provide life-saving aid during crises.
In FY 2025 alone, CARE Ethiopia reached 5.3 million people, including more than 3.2 million through humanitarian programs. Of those reached, 1.7 million were women and girls.
CARE and partners’ work in Ethiopia today
CARE works with communities, local organizations, and government institutions to help improve daily life and strengthen long-term stability.
Our work focuses on:
Food and water
CARE works with communities to improve access to safe water and support sustainable agriculture. Through projects such as FUTURES: My Forest, My Livelihood, My Family in southwestern Ethiopia and RELIVES (Resilient Livelihoods and Sustainable Ecosystems in the Simien Mountains National Park) in northern Ethiopia, we help families strengthen livelihoods while protecting forests and ecosystems.
Making the economy work for women
CARE supports women and families to increase food production, diversify income, and build stable livelihoods, especially in areas affected by conflict and climate impacts – whether natural or caused by climate change.
Health
We work with communities to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, maternal health care, and nutrition support for children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Crisis response
CARE provides emergency food, shelter, health, and water services to communities affected by conflict, climate shocks, and displacement. As part of a national emergency food assistance consortium, we support hundreds of thousands of people each month with life-saving aid.
Gender equality
We help expand opportunities for women and girls and strengthen their participation in economic and community life.
Focus on women and girls
Women and girls are central to CARE Ethiopia’s work.
We work with 21 local partners, including eight women-led organizations and women’s rights networks, to expand women’s leadership, improve access to essential services, and increase economic opportunities.
CARE supports women and girls to:
- Access financial services and grow small businesses through savings groups and entrepreneurship programs
- Improve reproductive health and nutrition outcomes
- Strengthen leadership skills and participate in community decision-making
- Live free from violence against women and girls through prevention and support services to survivors
Through the Women Lead in Emergencies initiative, CARE partners with women-led organizations to strengthen women’s leadership in emergency response and recovery efforts.
CARE also supports women entrepreneurs through initiatives such as the Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment (AWE) program. The initiative works with financial institutions to expand access to loans and business opportunities for young women.
Together with our partners, CARE works to support stronger and more stable communities across Ethiopia.
For recent updates on CARE Ethiopia, see here.
