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Understanding the Need
Child Poverty in Ethiopia
Mercy's Village Ethiopia is committed to using research, local knowledge, and community partnerships to identify where children and families are most vulnerable.
UNICEF 2024 Study
of children in Ethiopia experience deprivation in five or more areas of basic well-being, according to UNICEF's 2024 Multidimensional Child Poverty in Ethiopia study.
of rural children are multidimensionally deprived
of urban children are multidimensionally deprived
Nine dimensions of child well-being
Where the need is greatest
Some of Ethiopia's highest-need regions
The study identified several regions with particularly high levels of multidimensional child deprivation.
Somali Region
88.2%The highest rate identified in the study.
Afar Region
87.9%Communities continue to face poverty, drought, food insecurity, water challenges, and loss of livelihoods.
Southern Ethiopia
86.4%High levels of child deprivation affect many communities across southern Ethiopia.
Tigray Region
86.1%Children and families continue to experience the effects of displacement, conflict, interrupted education, poverty, and limited access to essential services.
The UNICEF study used the former Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) statistical grouping because the available survey framework did not yet permit full separation of Ethiopia's newly formed southern regions.
Our future target areas
Going where children need support most
Mercy's Village Ethiopia plans to expand into communities where vulnerable children and struggling families face some of the greatest barriers to safety, education, nutrition, shelter, healthcare, and opportunity.
Somali Region
Future focus
Child poverty • Water access • Nutrition • Education • Family support
Afar Region
Future focus
Drought-affected families • Food security • Girls' education • Water • Family assistance
Tigray Region
Future focus
Displaced children • Trauma recovery • Education • Family reunification and support • Basic needs
Amhara Region
Future focus
Conflict-affected children • Education • Child protection • Family assistance
Oromia Region
Future focus
Rural poverty • Education • Child protection • Food security • Family support
Southern Ethiopia
Future focus
Housing • Sanitation • Nutrition • Education • Rural family assistance
Our approach
How we will choose communities
These regions represent areas we intend to study and potentially serve in the future. They are not yet Mercy's Village operating locations. Before entering a community, we intend to assess needs at the local level:
Our decisions will consider:
Our commitment
Poverty alone should never be a reason to separate a child from a loving and safe family.
Whenever possible, Mercy's Village Ethiopia will work to strengthen families and help children remain safely with parents, grandparents, relatives, or other appropriate caregivers.
Residential care will be considered for children who cannot safely remain in their existing family environment and who require a higher level of protection and support.
Our long-term vision
Protect Children. Preserve Families.
Educate. Empower. Build Stronger Communities.
Our goal is not simply to respond to poverty. Our goal is to help create pathways that allow Ethiopian children, families, and communities to build safer and more hopeful futures.
Research source: UNICEF Ethiopia, Multidimensional Child Poverty in Ethiopia, 2024.
