Abstract:
This study examines a history on poverty and food aid in Lasta Awrajja, 1941-1991. Number of
studies conducted on the famine years of Ethiopia especially Wällo famine of the twentieth
century. These studies indicated that famine is not a new phenomenon to Ethiopia. However,
almost all studies give little emphasis for the sever famine of Lasta Awrajja in the period
understudy. As Lasta was the center of human settlement and civilization, its area predominantly
became barren lands, and recurrent drought. This situation of the area exacerbated poverty of
the people that resulted frequent famine. Thus, the main objective of this study is to reconstruct
history on poverty and food aid in Lasta Awrajja. Moreover, intention to conduct research on
this title emanated from the fact that while Lasta is endowed with immense heritage assets but
relied on food aid since the early 1970s. Therefore, to examine the famine situations, its causes
and consequences, the survival strategies of the local people, the role of government and nongovernment
relief and rehabilitation organizations under the period of study intended to conduct
this research. Methodologically, the research conducted through a qualitative approach of
historical study. Thus, to realize the study, data collected from archival records, published and
unpublished sources and interview of eye witness accounts. The archival records of NALA and
IES repositories consulted thoroughly. The published documents include books and book
chapters, journal articles and periodical records. Unpublished sources include thesis and
dissertation works of researchers. Further, eye witness accounts of interviewees who were the
victims of famine, the beneficiaries of relief aid and local employers of the relief organizations
provided invaluable information for the study. The causes of the famine were human made and
natural factors. Among the human made vulnerable to famine the most triggered factors were the
socio-economic and political issues, the civil war, underdeveloped technology and human as
well as animal disease. The natural factors consisted drought, lack of fertile soil, insects like
däyri and locusts. During the famine years the Lastans had their own indigenous strategy that
consisted praying to God and appealing to the government, selling personal property,
borrowing, adopt with unusual foods, and migration. Government played its own role to solve
the problem. Food aid organizations also participated to save the lives of famine victims in Lasta
particularly during the famine years of 1984-85. Generally, as documents showed Lasta was one
of most famine stricken area of Wällo since 1941 onwards.