In October and November 1994, UNICEF supported a baseline survey of 45 sites in 8 regions of Ethiopia with technical assistance from CIET. Data were obtained on 1,454 children concerning child mortality and its causes, nutritional anthropometry, vaccine coverage and efficacy, vitamin A deficiency, water and sanitation. The practise of withholding liquids and food when child has diarrhoea help explain why diarrhoea was the commonest cause of child death. Access to latrines was protective against diarrhoea only among those who have access to piped or protected water sources.