Gofa

The administrative zone of Gofa is located 456 km south of Addis Ababa in the regional state of South Ethiopia. The area has a population of 1.1 million people living in an area of 1,546 km². The zone alternates between plains at an altitude of around 500 metres, hilly landscapes and mountainous regions reaching 3,400 metres. The main town, Sawla, is located at an altitude of 1,400 metres.

Menschen für Menschen will initially start work in six communities within two districts in Gofa, in Demba Gofa with just under 183,000 inhabitants and in Zala with 172,000.

Project start: 2025
Area: 1,546 km²
Location: 456 km south of Addis Ababa

The vast majority of farmers in both districts practise subsistence farming. They limit themselves to rain-fed agriculture, use outdated technologies and have little knowledge of market developments. The soil is depleted and eroded by deforestation and open grazing. The yields from the small areas under cultivation are barely enough to feed the family until the next harvest. Livestock farming also contributes significantly to income, but productivity among cows, sheep, goats and chickens is very low. Up to 33% of households in the two districts suffer from food insecurity.

The drinking water supply in both districts, Demba Gofa and Zala, is below the national average of 70.2 % in rural areas (*), at 25.3 % and 22.4 % of the population respectively. The majority have to fetch water from unprotected ponds, springs or rivers. The result is diarrhoeal diseases, which weaken children in particular and can lead to death.

The schools in the districts are built of wood and clay, with few windows and barely adequate furnishings.

Similarly, the health infrastructure does not meet demand. The existing health stations and centres are poorly equipped and the staff are inadequately trained.

Women in rural areas suffer from the traditional division of labour between men and women. They look after the children and take care of the household, fetch wood and water, help with field work, but have no income of their own and no say, either at home or in the community. Unemployment among 15- to 24-year-olds is high. As their parents’ land is limited, they have to look for work outside of farming. Opportunities are scarce, so many migrate to larger cities or abroad.

* World Factbook