Ethiopia

Population almost 77million
Addis Ababa the capital, is on a huge plateau divided by the Rift Valley. The climate is temperate. The wet season is from July to September.

It is a beautiful country
with hardworking hospitable friendly people. Its history is woven with legends of King Solomon, the Ark of the Covenant and the birth of Christianity.

Federal Democratic Republic
was founded in 1994. The Prime Minister is Meles Zenawi. Regional and National popular elections were held in mid-1995. Despite border conflicts with Eritrea there is stability now within the Government.

Economy
In the 1980s Ethiopia was ravaged by severe famine and internal conflict and continues to face difficult economic problems. It is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture provides about 90% of its income.

Roads and medical services
The terrain makes land travel difficult. Many areas are inaccessible by road. There is an acute shortage of hospitals, doctors and medical supplies.

Remote villages
Many people live in remote villages where there are no roads. Others live in rugged mountainous country, cut off by deep gorges, and at times dangerous rivers in flood.

In these circumstances, it is virtually impossible for a mother to obtain medical help or professional assistance should problems occur in childbirth.