Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia has been active since 1993. Since then it has helped thousands of families by building decent homes with improved water and sanitation facilities. Habitat Ethiopia runs a diverse, innovative program, tailored to meet the local housing need.
The housing need in Ethiopia
The vast majority of Ethiopians live in poorly built, dilapidated and cramped houses which lack even the basic facilities, such as toilets. Only 30 percent of the current housing stock in country is in a fair condition, with the remaining 70 percent in need of total replacement. Countrywide access to safe drinking water is 50 percent countrywide and only 20.7 percent of the population has access to adequate sanitation (UNICEF, 2011). 38 percent of households do not have toilet facilities.
In the capital Addis Ababa, 80 percent of the houses are in poor condition and below standard. Houses in slum areas are old and dilapidated and too narrow to accommodate families, where the health and dignity of families is compromised. Most families who live in dilapidated homes in slum areas share toilets that are also in very poor conditions. Vulnerable Groups are severely affected by poverty housing, lack of safe water and sanitation. Adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is 1.5 and there about 898,000 AIDS orphans in the country. Out of 4 million elderly people, only 19% receive pension. There are 600,000 refugees in the country. Prevalence of drought, flood, earthquake and epidemic is high.