Southern Nations, Nationalities, and
Peoples' Region (SNNPR) Brief
Regional Overview
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (abbreviated as SNNPR) is one of the nine ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia.
The SNNPR contains a huge variety of ethnic groups – as many as 56 different groups with their own distinct languages, cultures,
beliefs, traditions, rituals and social identities living together. The region borders Kenya to the south (including a small part of Lake
Turkana), South Sudan to the west, the Ethiopian region of Gambela to the northwest, and Oromia to the north and east. Besides
Hawassa, the region's major cities and towns include Arba Minch, Bonga, Chencha, Dila, Yirgalem, Mizan Teferi, Soddo, Wendo, and
Worabe.
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), the SNNPR has an estimated total
population of 18 million which makes it the third most populous region in Ethiopia. 15,433,991 or 89.98% of the population are
estimated to be rural inhabitants, while 2,495,557 or 10.02% are urban; this makes the SNNPR Ethiopia's most rural region. With an
estimated area of 105,887.18 square kilometers, this region has an estimated density of 141 people per square kilometer. The
population is concentrated mostly in eastern, northern and central part of the SNNPR while the western and southern part of the
Region is sparsely populated; as a result most population in the region has low access to social services, like health and education.
The health indicators in the Region are among the lowest in the country. According to the EDHS 2011, neonatal, infant and underfive mortality are 38, 78 and 116 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The crude birth rate is estimated to be 36 per thousand.
Maternal mortality ratio of the region is estimated to be similar to that of the country 673/100,000 live births and life expectancy is
48 years. Save the Children works with relevant government and non government agencies to change the above situation.
Location Map
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Location of the area office
Save the Children Hawassa field office is located on the Wolde-Amanuel Avenue at the capital city of the SNNPR in Hawassa town.
In Addition to the Hawassa field office we have satellite offices at Wolayita Sodo town, Konso in Kara town and in Hammer located
at Demeka town, and a project office that is located in Alaba town.
Summary of program implemented in the area
Save the Children has over 70 years of experience of working in Ethiopia. Our current project work in SNNPR covers 14 zones, 57
Districts, 4 special districts and 55 towns.
Thematic Areas
Maternal, newborn and child health, emergency nutrition, HIV/AIDS (Care Support Prevention Nutrition), Education (ECCD, ABE,
Basic Education) , education and child protection (Harmful Traditional Practices). As part of our commitment to contribute for the
achievement of MDGs 4 & 5 through our EVERYONE campaign, we annually organize the Hawassa Great Run, bringing together
different community members to raise their common voice in the fight to reducing child and maternal mortality.
Health program: MNCHN, ICCM, MCHIP, Karat District Hospital, Promoting MNCH in six zones, (Sidama, Gurage, Segene,
S.Omo, G.Gofa & Hadiya) & 42 districts (MNCHN- Save Italy funded, ICCM-UNICEF funded, MCHIP- USAID funded and Karat
District Hospital- Save Italy funded)
Nutrition Program: ENGINE working in 8 zones and in 16 Districts (3 Sidama, 2 Gurage, 2 Silite, 2 Gideo, 2 Kefa, 2 S.Omo, 2
B.Maji & 1 Dawuro) & 3 Special Districts (Konta, Basketo & Yem SD) (USAID funded)
HIV/AIDS Prevention and HIV/Nutrition Program: USAID TransACTION and Food by Prescription operates in 14 Zones, 3
special District [FBP in 76HFs (21Hosp & 55HCs)] & TransACTION in 14 towns and 1City Administration (USAID funded)
Education Program: Basic education and ECCE/ECCD are implemented in 4 Districts (Konso, Hammer, Dasenech & Gnangatom)
and in 1 special District (Halaba) (NORAD and Finland funded)
Child Protection: Finland government funded Community Based Child Protection is implemented in Halaba and Konso (Finland
funded)
HTP Program: Community based Prevention of harmful traditional practices HTP are implemented in 3 Districts of South Omo
Zone (Hammer, Dasenech & Gnangatom) (NORAD funded)
Last updated: December, 2013
For more information and project specific briefs contact:
Deputy Operations Director, SNNPR, Dr. Hailu Tesfaye, 251-916 82 80 52 [email protected]
or [email protected]
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