ETHIOPIA

The impact of the HIV epidemic varies substantially among populations and geographic locations in Ethiopia with a national prevalence ranging from .9 to 2.1 among adults ages 15 - 49.

According to UNAIDS estimates, more than 980,000 adults were living with HIV in Ethiopia at the end of 2007 and 67,000 people had died from AIDS-related causes. More than 650,000 children have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the epidemic. The principal modes of HIV transmission are heterosexual sex and mother-to-child transmission. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has led to a seven year decrease in life expectancy among Ethiopians and has also led to substantial decrease in the workforce.

With support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in country, the HIV/AIDS Twinning Center currently manages six partnerships and a Volunteer Healthcare Corps initiative in Ethiopia. A seventh partnership, focusing on building emergency medical services capacity, will be launched in spring 2009.

In 2006, the HIV/AIDS Twinning Center opened an office in Addis Ababa to provide programmatic and logistical support to partners and volunteers. Staff also work closely with local government agencies and the US Government team to identify and facilitate needs-driven partnerships and volunteer placements.

(source: PEPFAR Country Profile, May 2009)

Updated June 5, 2009