Ethiopia-Cause

The main cause for refugees in Ethiopia is not a current issue, but one that has been on-going since the 1930's. In 1935, Ethiopia was invaded by Italy during World War II. From 1930-1973, the country was under the leadership of Emperor Haile Selassie. In 1973, Selassie was overthrown by a group of angry and power driven officers who made the country a Marxist "military regime". Along with being oppressed by this government, several other factors came about to bring about refugees of the country, such as: famine, drought, and on-going fighting with Eritrea.

Invasion of Ethiopia by Italy
Since then, Ethiopia and Eritrea have completely become separate countries, cultures, and people

In 1980, the largest migration recorded in Ethiopian history left the country and headed west into Europe and North America. They traveled in small groups over night to sea ports and airports, but many died on the way.

Also, Jewish Ethiopians migrated to Israel in two operations called Operation Moses and Operation Solomon. More than 55,000 were airlifted between 1985 and 1991.

Kemp, Chales. "Ethiopians and Eritreans." __Bayor__. 2000. 28 Apr. 2007 <[|http://www3.baylor.edu/%7ECharles_Kemp/ethiopian_refugees.htm>.] McLaughlin, Abraham, and Christian A. Purefoy. "Hunger is Spreading in Africa." __Addis Tribune__. 2003. 2 May 2007 . Ethiopia Home