Concern Worldwide has planted over 1.5 million trees in Ethiopia over the past two years.

The Irish charity said the project aims to reduce the suffering caused by the effects of climate change.

The project saw an average of over 2,100 trees planted a day in areas devastated by droughts, floods and other severe weather events.

The project was supported with funding from Irish Aid.

An Ethiopian woman plants a tree sapling with Concern Worldwide in 2019. Image: Concern Worldwide

Concern said the trees will improve soil quality and provide food and jobs while helping to reverse the effects of climate change.

“Trees strengthen soil and this gives people food, jobs and safer places to live,” said Eileen Morrow, the charity’s country director for Ethiopia. “So this is critical, life-saving work.”

“They, along with other plants and organisms in our ecosystem, also give us the oxygen we breathe while taking harmful, world-heating carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere.

“So by planting trees, we are providing a lifeline in this worsening climate crisis.”

The Concern tree-planting drive included drumstick trees, silky oaks, junipers, avocado and mango.

Staff also took part in the Ethiopian Government’s drive to plant millions of saplings in one day last July.

Concern said the tree planting has already seen tangible results with communities experiencing less flooding and more growth in food production and livelihoods.

The charity directly helped 573,000 people through its development work in Ethiopia last year.

With reporting from Jack Quann