Ethiopia Country Profile

Population:	78,986,000
Children-under-5 mortality rate:	123 per 1,000
Vitamin A deficiency, in children 6 to 59 months old:	Data not available
Iodine deficiency:	Data not available
Prevalence of anemia, in children 6 to 59 months old:	53.5%
Prevalence of anemia, in women:	26.6%

Vitamin A deficiency is moderate compared to other countries in the region.¹

The prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is extremely high. The total goitre rate is 39% for children 6 to 12, and 35.8% for women 15 to 49 years².

Anemia rates are equally high: 30.6% of pregnant women³, 54% of children under five⁴, and 27%⁵  of women 15 to 49 years are anemic.

Our Priorities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia remains a high priority country for MI Africa.

MI's highest priorities in Ethiopia have been to:

1. Boost coverage of children under five with vitamin A supplements using the Enhanced Outreach Strategy EEOS). This work included: 
   - Procurement ot the full supply of vitamin A capsules required for the country.
   - Financial support through UNICEF for the funds needed to cover about 2.7 million children aged six to 59 months in Amhara and Oromiya regions. This led to the expansion of the EOS into new areas and VAS covereage of more than 90%.
   - Technical assistance in the planning, training, implementation and monitoring of the VAS intervention in Amhara and Oromiya regions through MI's regional coordinators.
   - MI jointly financed and conducted a 2006 VAS costing study with supplementary assistance from the World Book, A2Z (the USAID Micronutrient project), and UNICEF Ethiopia. Plans for use of the data include advocating for the inclusion of VAS in the national budget as part of a minimum outreach package of child survival interventions.
   
2. Increase coverage with iodized salt by providing technical support, iodization machines, and potassium iodate to salt producers in Afar region hwere 90% of the country's salt requirements is produced.
   -In 2007, MI conducted an assessment to map all salt producers in Afar region using a GPS platform.
   -Based on the findings of the mapping study, MI has started procurement of salt iodization equipment and other supplies as part of a joint MoH-MI USI project.
   -MI's support to build the capacity of salt producers to adequately iodize salt is complementing the initiatives already underway through the government and other partners, such as UNICEF, in the areas of advocacy, social mobilization, impact monitoring and distribution of iodized oil capsules in IDD hot spots.
   
3. Support the development of national nutrition policies, strategies and plans.
   -In 2007/8, MI provided significant technical support for the development of the National Nutrition Program.
   -MI also provided technical and financial support for the development and launch of the National Nutrition Strategy.
   
4. MI is planning to get involved in efforts to prevent iron deficiency anemia and treatement of diarrhea with zinc supplementation.

Advocating for Universal Access to Essential Vitamins and Minerals

MI successfully advocated to extend vitamin A supplements (VAS) to Ethiopia's non-drought districts. This led to an expansion of the Enhanced Outreach Strategy into new areas and VAS coverage of over 80%.

Advancing Knowledge and Analysis: Research, Monitoring, and Assessment

MI jointly financed and conducted a 2006 VAS costing study with supplementary assistance from the World Bank, A2Z (the USAID Micronutrient project), and UNICEF Ethiopia. Plans for use of the data include advocating for the inclusion of VAS in the national budget as part of a minimum outreach package of child survival interventions.

Child Survival
Supporting Immune Systems and Reducing Deaths from Common Childhood Diseases

Vitamin A Supplements (VAS)

In 2006, actual vitamin A supplements (VAS) coverage exceeded 90% in most regions, particularly Amhara and Oromiya. This was due to the concerted efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, UNICEF, MI, and other partner agencies to improve the planning, training, implementation, and monitoring of the VAS program.

MI in Ethiopia

Berhanu Hailegiorgis
Director, Ethiopia 

C/O. Ethiopia-Canada Cooperation Office (CIDA-ECCO)
Nifas Silk - Lafto Sub City, Kebele 04, H. No. 161/01
P. O. Box: - 1009
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel. 011-371 49 19
Fax:- 011-371 57 44