Context
Ethiopia is a land of contrasts and extremes, and its people are seeking a way out of hunger and poverty. The country and people also pride themselves on having preserved their independence in the age of colonialism. With a population of 96 million and as the second largest country on the African continent, Ethiopia has repeatedly come to public attention owing to extreme droughts and famines. The country is one of the poorest in the world according to UN statistics, which place Ethiopia 174th among 187 countries. Half of the population live below the poverty line, yet for some years now Ethiopia has been growing at an annual rate of over 10 per cent. Some 80 per cent of the population are rural dwellers, living mostly from grain cultivation for their own consumption and from cattle farming. The country is rich in resources, fertile soil, water, knowledge and strong cultural roots. But the country's wealth and control over its resources are becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of a small, privileged minority, and a life in dignity would seem almost unattainable for the vast majority of the population.
Ethiopia has been a federal republic since 1993, comprising a vast number of ethnic groups that vary considerably in size. Government bodies regulate and influence many aspects of life. The room for manoeuvre for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is defined by the Government. Still, many NGOs are playing an important role fighting poverty and exclusion