USAID’s Real Impact series highlights aspects of our water programming that support the Strategic Objectives of the USAID Water and Development Strategy. Each case provides insights to challenges faced, approaches used and lessons learned.

Agriculture is the primary source of food and income for most Ethiopians, employing 84 percent of people in the country. But for several decades, Ethiopia has suffered from recurring food shortages that have led to malnutrition, disease and famine. These food shortages are brought on and worsened by droughts, floods and soil depletion caused by climate change.