Pastoral communities in the Borana and Shinile zones of Ethiopia have been changing and adapting their livelihoods to changing environmental conditions for centuries. Recurrent droughts have been a major issue throughout history in the Ethiopian lowlands, and strategies to cope with, and adapt to these droughts are embedded in communities’ traditional social structures and resource management systems.
Despite the sense of determination, pastoralists’ ability to adapt is constrained by many factors including increasing land degradation; conflicts over scarce resources, which limit movement and destroy assets that are key for adaptation (especially in Borana); limited access to information (including that on weather, climate change, markets, as well as pest and disease outbreaks); limited education, skills and access to financial services and markets required to diversify their livelihoods; inadequate government policies, capacities and coordination; demographic pressures; and social and gender inequalities and marginalization, which reduce the voice and adaptive capacity of the most vulnerable.
Enhancing the adaptive capacity of pastoralists will require community-based and community-led interventions, but will also require tailored support from NGOs, donors, and governments and this study explores the issues and options facing all stakeholders.
Latest Publications
Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in North-West Balkans
- Countries: Bosnia and Herzegowina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro
- Co-authors: CARE International North West Balkans
- Published: June 2009
NGOs and Humanitarian Reform: Mapping Study - Afghanistan Report
- Co-authors: Antonio Donini, Feinstein, Tufts
- Published: May 2009
Taking drought into account: Addressing chronic vulnerability among pastoralists in the Horn of Africa
- Co-authors: Sara Pantuliano and Sara Pavanello
- Published: May 2009
Pastoralists’ Vulnerability in the Horn of Africa: Exploring Political Marginalization, Donors’ Policies, and Cross-Border Issues
- Co-authors: ODI
- Published: April 2009
Rights in Conflict
- Countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nepal, Sierra Leone
- Co-authors: UK InterAgency Group on Rights; ActionAid
- Published: March 2009
NGOs and Humanitarian Reform Project: Key messages on humanitarian reform and funding
- Published: March 2009
NGOs and Humanitarian Reform: Mapping Study - Ethopia Report
- Co-authors: Tasneem Mowjee
- Published: March 2009
NGOs and Humanitarian Reform: Mapping Study - Zimbabwe Report
- Co-authors: Ralf Otto
- Published: March 2009
NGOs and Humanitarian Reform: Mapping Study - Sudan Report
- Co-authors: John Cosgrave
- Published: March 2009