Understanding the Need in Ethiopia

• Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa, with over 107 million people.
• The population continues to grow rapidly, with an annual rate of about 2.5%.
• While the country has made economic progress, poverty and limited access to sanitation remain widespread.
• More than three-quarters of Ethiopians live on less than $1 per day, and healthcare access is especially limited in rural regions.

• Ethiopia still faces one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world — the lifetime risk of death from pregnancy-related causes is 1 in 16, compared to about 1 in 2,800 in developed countries.
• The infant mortality rate stands at 42 deaths per 1,000 live births.
• Many rural communities have little or no access to doctors or hospitals.
• Preventable diseases, road injuries, and childbirth complications continue to claim lives every day.

This is where mission hospitals like Soddo Christian Hospital make a difference — providing quality, compassionate care to those who would otherwise go without.

• Soddo lies 330 km south of Addis Ababa, nestled on the edge of the Great Rift Valley.
• At 7,400 feet above sea level, it enjoys a mild climate surrounded by green hills and fertile farmland.
• The region experiences two rainy seasons (Feb–Mar and May–Sept) and mild temperatures year-round, making it a beautiful but remote setting — one that underscores the challenge of providing consistent, accessible healthcare.