A/HRC/13/17 Page 5 rapid expansion of establishing new universities is undertaken in an endeavour to also ensure an even distribution of higher education across the nation. 17. The delegation noted that the right to form and join trade unions is constitutionally guaranteed for factory and service workers, farm labourers, and other rural workers. The labour law provides the procedures for exercising trade union rights. 18. On health related matters, Ethiopia indicated that the Health Sector Extension Programme has been introduced in recognition of the failure of essential services to reach the people at the grass-roots level. The plan involves the accelerated training of 30,000 health workers in order to reach universal coverage in all rural kebeles, with 24,571 health workers already trained and deployed. Though still high, Ethiopia has made encouraging progress in reducing child mortality. The maternal mortality ratio of Ethiopia has declined. In order to further improve this situation, the health sector has given priority to increasing the coverage of maternal health service. 19. The delegation stated that some parts of the country repeatedly encounter chronic drought. Hence the country, to a certain degree, is dependent on international food aid to meet the overall food required for its population. Although several programs associated with food production have been devised to make Ethiopia food self-sufficient, the country is still unable to prevent seasonal shortage of food in certain parts. 20. The delegation stated that Ethiopia is hosting refugees from neighbouring countries in 13 refugee centres, in cooperation with international organizations such as UNHCR and ICRC. In most of these centres, international organizations maintain offices so that refugees have ready access to them. In addition to basic needs including water, food and shelter, every refugee centre is equipped with a primary school. 21. The delegation stated that extensive training education on human rights for legislators and law enforcement officials have been conducted by the Government, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Institution of the Ombudsman at the Federal level. In a similar undertaking, a nationwide human rights training program for law enforcement officials has been undertaken. Various government organs have also initiated and organized human rights awareness raising activities for their professionals. 22. The delegation stated that Civics and Ethical Education, which incorporate the ideals of human rights, has started at the primary, secondary and tertiary level throughout Ethiopia in public, private, secular or religious schools. Human rights courses are also incorporated in the curricula of military and police training schools, with emphasis placed on the role of the police and military officers in the protection of human rights in peace or during armed conflict. 23. The delegation stated that there are numerous human rights challenges Ethiopia is facing, mostly due to its economic situation, socio-cultural context, and the persistence of certain traditional practices, and other difficulties and constraints. 24. The delegation stressed that Ethiopia is committed to continuing its cooperation with the United Nations human rights organs and will consider extending further invitations for country visits by United Nations special rapporteurs.