•Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda have been earmarked for the pilot programme.
•The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) signed a Sh6.6 billion (47 million euro) to fund the four-year programme designed to strengthen the resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa.
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Over 100,000 households in seven Eastern African countries will benefit from a food security programme jointly launched by the United Nations and the European Union.
Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda have been earmarked for the pilot programme.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) signed a Sh6.6 billion (47 million euro) to fund the four-year programme designed to strengthen the resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa.
Rein Paulsen, FAO’s Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience said the initiative will address the challenges in developing sustainable, climate-resilient pastoral systems across the environment.
Titled 'Pastoralism and livestock adaptation to climate change in Eastern Africa programme', the initiative seeks to provide lasting solutions for the economic and social dimensions in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
“The EU has been a longstanding partner in Eastern Africa, especially in enhancing the resilience of pastoral livelihoods. We welcome this timely programme as the region's rangelands face increased incidence and severity of climate-related shocks and a gradual degradation of the natural resource base. This threatens the pastoral way of life,” Paulsen said.
According to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, livestock is a key livelihood source in the Horn of Africa.
It constitutes a major economic, social and cultural facet of life for over 250 million people in the region.
Over centuries, pastoralists have provided ecosystem services that are difficult to convert into commercial values. At least 10 million livestock died in 2022 following a severe drought.
Societal shifts in the region mean that fewer young people are interested in what is traditionally considered the pastoral lifestyle.
“Pastoralists undertake livestock keeping not only as a commercial enterprise but also as a social investment. They have provided ecosystem services that are difficult to convert into commercial values,” he said.
Paulsen however noted that pastoralism is at a critical juncture. He said; “Societal shifts in the region mean fewer young people are interested in what is traditionally considered a pastoral lifestyle.”
In addition, severe and frequent droughts have devastated rangelands, resulting in the loss of over 13 million livestock between late 2020 and early 2024.
He explained that PLACE’s holistic approach aims to foster an environment that promotes comprehensive and innovative solutions to enhance resilience, improve food security, and establish sustainable livelihoods.
It will be implemented across four cross-border cluster areas including the Bahr el-Arab, Karamoja, and Mandera. Also targeted are the Mara-Serengeti Clusters in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“PLACE focuses on environmental sustainability, economic development, and social inclusion. Its implementation will directly benefit more than 100,000 households,” said Paulsen.
“Efforts will focus on several key areas, including strengthening land tenure systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving biodiversity and natural resources.”
This is in addition to building strong local economies within the livestock sector, fostering sustainable economic growth, reducing resource-based conflicts and creating jobs.
The programme’s initiatives aim to improve living conditions, ensure fairness and inclusivity, and amplify the voices and participation of pastoralists, with particular attention to gender and youth inclusion.