In 2003, Ethiopia was a large east African country with a population of around 73 million people. It had a GDP of $17 billion and its economy was largely based on agriculture, with the main crops being coffee, cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.
According to computergees, the country had been under authoritarian rule since the Communist Derg regime in 1974 and was governed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi since 1995. Ethiopia had made some progress towards economic growth but overall progress was slow due to limited resources and lack of foreign investment.
The political landscape in 2003 was dominated by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who had implemented several reforms to promote economic growth and social equality. There was an emphasis on free market policies such as low taxes, deregulation, privatization, and free trade agreements with other countries in Africa. Additionally, access to free education and healthcare services were improved due to increased investments in these areas. Economic growth was further supported by robust infrastructure development projects as well as reform initiatives aimed at reducing corruption levels in the country. However, there were still ongoing tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea which hindered development in the region.
Yearbook 2003
Ethiopia. According to Countryaah.com, Ethiopia Independence Day is July 23. The recurring problems of drought, or uneven distribution of rain, and insufficient harvests led Ethiopia to repeatedly appeal to the outside world for food aid. In September, 13.2 million people in drought-stricken areas were estimated to live under an acute famine.
Thousands in April 2002 celebrated the decision of the Permanent Arbitration Court in The Hague regarding the drawing of the well over 1000 km long border towards Eritrea. The government of Addis-Ababa considered the ruling a victory, even though the court did not award the port city of Assab with Ethiopia. On April 20, experts began taking high-resolution aerial photographs of the border to be used to quickly enforce the border – including in Badme whose predominantly Ethiopian population continued to live in uncertainty.
In late April, Ethiopia decided to close its border with Eritrea for UN officials who were accused of bringing journalists to the area without Ethiopian visas. The Eritrean government, in turn, accused Ethiopia of clamping down on the border and violating the order of the Arbitral Tribunal.
The same month, a UNICEF report revealed that 100-200,000 Ethiopian children live on the streets, being exposed to exploitation, abuse, prostitution and AIDS.
Local elections in April 2002 led to demonstrations and bloody clashes in the country’s southwest between security forces and the sheko and mezehenger people. Over 150 civilians were killed, 5,000 displaced and 1,000 houses destroyed.
In December 2002, Swiss food giant Nestlé filed a $ 6 million compensation claim. US $ for nationalization Tafari Benti government (1974-77) implemented in 1975. About 40,000 emailed protests to Nestlé demanding that the group withdraw its claim, and in January the group agreed to reduce the claim to 1½ million, which should be reinvested in national hunger-fighting programs.
In June 2003, estimates showed that DKK 12½ million. Ethiopians depended on food aid. The famine was greater than the one that had previously cost about. 1 million people life.
In July 2004, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) called for international assistance to the victims of the drought disaster in Ethiopia. Acc. the Ethiopian authorities had 7 million. Ethiopians this year need relief. But instead of food aid, WFP asked for money to be able to buy food from local producers who were making profits. Ethiopia is plagued by a chronic food deficit and is largely dependent on foreign aid to feed its population. However, a number of areas received sufficient rainfall in 2004 to increase grain production by 40% compared to the previous year. Acc. the government needed 980,000 tonnes of food.
Federal Republic of Ethiopia Brief Guide
According to AbbreviationFinder, Ethiopia is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, near the equator. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa.
Bordered by Ethiopia are Eritrea and Djibouti in the north, Somalia in the east, Kenya in the south and Sudan in the west. Ethiopia covers an area of 1,127,127 km². The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa. Before 1945, Ethiopia was known as Abyssinia.
Ethiopia is a land of contrasts. Its range of different religions, races and languages is wide. In addition to its colorful history, the country’s fascination is enhanced by its incredible natural beauty. The Great Rift Valley runs through Ethiopia. Along it, nature is at its most beautiful. The lakes in the valley feed a large amount of life. Flocks of birds and herds of wildlife inhabit the area’s renowned nature parks.
Our trips will take you to fall in love with the nature of the “Horn of Africa” and its history 3,000 years back.
Visas
Finns need a visa when traveling to Ethiopia. The visa can be applied for electronically in advance at https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/home. Obtaining an online visa is a recommended option, but Finnish citizens also receive an on arrival visa when arriving at Addis Ababa Airport. The price of a visa is about 50 usd / person. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in the country. Note! Visa policies and rates are subject to change without notice depending on local authorities.
Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.
Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.
Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.