This study is a cross sec tional sample s urvey on t he health status of 10 villages (5 resettlement and 5 indigenous) in Kelem Awraja, Wollega Regio n, Southwestern Ethi opi a . The fi e l d study was conduc ted i n September and October 1987 . The survey c onsisted of a s e t of qu es tionnaires on s ocio- demograph ic , he al th status, nutri tional as sessment of unde r-five c hildren and stool e xamination for ova and paras ites. The soc i odemographi c data reveal ed that the total popul at ion covered by the study was 3779 people , out of which 2040 were settlers (54%) and 1739 were indi ge no us ( 46%) . The Ii terac y rate b e t wee n the two groups s howed no diff erence 32 .6% a n d 33 .4 %, but much lower wh e n compared to the national figure which 1S 60% . The major sources o f water s uppl y f o r mo r e t han 50% were from unprotected spr ing s and river water for both gro ups. The avai l ability of latrine s and garbage disposal pits for settlers was more t han 90%. For the indigenous group a bout 50% had latrines and l ess than 30% had a garbage disposal pit. In hea lth facilities a nd h ealth care, again the settlers were i n a better position compared to the indig e n o us. Immuni zation coverage, ant e natal attendance and delivery services we r e significant l y higher in t he settlers. As far as mo rbidity was concerned 25 . 2% and 19. 7% of the sett l ers and indigenous resp e ctively reported s i ck during the last ix two weeks. Nutritional status in under-five children was poor but showed no difference between the two groups . With regards to prevalence of intestinal parasites in the two groups, 69 .4% of the settlers were found positive whereas i n the indigenous 77.1% were positive. Explanations were offered for the better health services and health status of the settlers . x