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By Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo, president and CEO, Catholic Relief Services

For many Americans, Ethiopia conjures images of hungry children and Live Aid concerts.  Those images stem from a major El Niño in 1984-85, which caused the most severe drought in the country’s recent history and led to 1 million deaths.  At the time, Ethiopia was mired in civil war and the government did not adequately assist its own people.  The world again is experiencing a major El Niño, and this time climate change may be worsening its effects.  We hear often how it is causing drought in California, but it is also bringing drought to Central America, Southern Africa, and again, Ethiopia.
 
Ethiopia is much different from 1984 and for the last several years has maintained its stability in a region wrought by conflict. The civil war is long over and government policies have focused on poverty alleviation.  The country generously hosts the largest refugee population in Africa as people from South Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia turn to Ethiopia to escape conflict.  It has seen strong economic growth and increased foreign investment, and is often referred to as the “African Lion,” akin to the “Asian Tigers” of the 1990’s.  

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