Since the foundation of SONNE-International, the Afar Region in Ethiopia has been a focal point of our projects.
The Afar Region
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State: |
Ethiopia |
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Capital: |
Semera |
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Area: |
96.707 km² |
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Inhabitants: |
1.411.092 (2007) |
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Population density: |
14.6 km² |
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Economic situation: |
very low level of education (literacy rate below 10%) medical care non-existent or inadequate poor infrastructure |
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Local partner |
APDA (Afar Pastoralist |
The Afar Region remains one of the remotest and least developed areas in Ethiopia.
The Afar Nation
The Afars are pastoralists. Nomadism and the breeding of camels and goats continue to represent the economic foundation of life for the Afar people. Cattle are bred in some areas, there is also some trading in salt, and in coastal regions there is fishing. In recent years, the seasonal rains have failed again and again, leading to droughts. In large areas of the region these droughts have caused the major part of the livestock to perish, thus removing the Afar’s means of existence.
It is SONNE’s aim to remain active in the Afar Region of northeast Ethiopia in the long term and to continue with our shared commitment to the comprehensive Afar Development Programme of our partner organization APDA (Afar Pastoralist Development Association).
The project concept plans for the phased development of a basis for living, starting with
• schooling (alphabetization),
• basic medical and health care,
• awareness programmes (hygiene, female genital mutilation),
• water supply and sanitation.
Our projects in the Afar Region
- mobile education programme for the Afar nomads. Read more
- mobile awareness programme in the Afar Region. Read more
- mobile health workers in the Afar Region. Read more
Evaluation
In 2009/10 our projects in the Afar Region were evaluated by an independent organization. For your information we have put the report (52 pages) online. Download
Valerie Browning (APDA) about SONNE - International