Afder Zone

Afder is one of nine Zones of the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Afder is bordered on the southwest by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from Liben, on the west by the Oromia Region, on north and northeast by the Shebelle River separates it from Gode, and on the east and southeast by Somalia. Towns and cities in Afder include Cherti and Weldiya.

Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Afder has an estimated total population of 444,633, of which 244,756 were males and 199,877 were females; 38,451 or 8.6% of its population are urban dwellers. Density figures for this zone are not available. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.3. Rural population numbers are believed to be underreported for this Region.]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, none of the inhabitants of Afder have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 8.3 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers, the average rural household has 0.6 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 2.25 for pastoral Regions) [Comparative national and regional figures comes from the World Bank publication, [http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?ImgPagePK=64202990&entityID=000094946_03032704080562&menuPK=64168175&pagePK=64210502&theSitePK=477938&piPK=64210520 Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991] (accessed 23 March 2006) This publication defines Benishangul-Gumaz, Afar and Somali as "pastoral Regions".] and the equivalent of 3.1 heads of livestock. 28.2% of the population is in non-farm related jobs, compared to the national average of 25% and an average of 28% for pastoral Regions. 12% of all eligible children are enrolled in primary school, and none in secondary schools. 100% of the zone is exposed to malaria, and none to Tsetse fly. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 660. [ [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Resources/PREM/FourEthiopiasrev6.7.5.May24.pdf World Bank, "Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization"] (accessed 23 March 2006).]

Woredas

*Afder
*Bare
*Cherti
*Dolobay
*Elekere
*Guradamole
*Mirab Imi

Notes