Strengthening Drought Resilience in Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Areas of Somali National Regional State, Ethiopia (SDR - SNRS)


Pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State (SNRS) are increasingly threatened by environmental (climatic) changes and land degradation. GIZ along with Local Government partners aims at building the resilience of vulnerable pastoralist communities through proven land rehabilitation measures, the promotion of livelihood activities and capacity development of government and private sector institutions.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Ethiopia
Agriculture & food security
Water
nothemedefined
Agricultural land resources
Water resources conservation
Agricultural policy
01.01.2020 - 30.09.2022
CHF  5’000’000
Background Pastoralism is now recognised in Ethiopia as the most efficient way of using rangeland resources, contributing to the national economy. However, pastoralist and agropastoralist livelihoods in the Ethiopia's Somali Region are increasingly threatened by environmental (climatic), socio-economic and political changes, leading to drastic increase and vulnerability to droughts. Natural resources degradation is further reducing the availability of pasture and water. While the degradation of natural resources affect all members of the households, women are more affected than men as women's household responsibilities require more time and energy than before. Government agencies in charge of development have insufficient capacities to identify and implement appropriate longerterm solutions, and past interventions to improve communities' resilience have not yet been successful on an appreciable scale. Appropriate interventions such as participatory natural resources management, capacity development, and evidence-based policy advocacy are thus needed. Switzerland is well positioned to address these challenges due to its long-term commitment, its experience in linking humanitarian and development approaches and its focus on empowering local government authorities. The second phase of the SDRSNRS-project will address these challenges and contribute to increased resilience and reduced pressure to Ethiopia's lowland communities, which will support the Swiss interest of stability in the Horn of Africa.
Objectives Communities and relevant government institutions in the Somali National Regional State implement drought resilience strategies and measures within a strengthened legal and institutional framework reflecting the needs of pastoralists and agropastoralists.
Target groups

Micro level: 3500 households will have access to rehabilitated land in five woredas.

Meso level: technical staffs of government offices (mainly BoANRD and BoLPD and their respective woreda offices), Gode & Jigjiga Polytechnic Colleges, and University of Jigjiga.

Macro level: national government staffs and members of the DSWG at the regional and national level adopt new approaches for natural resource management, based on documented evidences to further upscale promising practices in the area of natural resources based on the Somali Region's experience.

Medium-term outcomes

1. Pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities have increased access to sustainably managed natural resources.

2. Public and private sector institutions are strengthened on Dry Valley Rehabilitation measures and government policies and strategies are revised and adapted to the lowland context in the areas of natural resource management,

Results

Expected results:  

Output 1.1: Integrated activities for the rehabilitation and sustainable management of dry valleys are analysed, implemented and documented.

Output 1.2: Synergy is created with other SDC/BMZ projects as well as with other interveners in SNRS and Somalia in view of the "Nexus" approach and regional approach of the SDC.

Output 1.3: Line bureaus (Bureau of Agriculture & Natural Resources Development — BoANRD & Bureau of Livestock & Pastoral Development — BoLPD) in the SNRS are enabled for informed policy decisions on DVR implementation integrating IDPs that integrate into host communities under the guidelines and operational concept of the DSWG.

Output 2.1: Capacities and inclusive processes at Regional, Woreda and Kebele levels of government agencies for policy making, strategy development, planning and implementation of DVR measures are improved.

Output 2.2: The technical capacity of public and private training institutions and providers of other DVR-relevant services is improved.

Output 2.3. Integration of DVR concept into regional and federal government policies and strategies are achieved through evidence-based policy advocacy.


Results from previous phases:  

-The project has successfully tested soil and water conservation measures for the rehabilitation of degraded dry valleys, including water spreading weirs in two sites, The conservation measures have become an integral part of the regional government and respective bureaus in their strategic intervention in the area of drought resilient programmes. The government intend to scale up the technology to other locations investing also government funding

-Over 100 ha of land invaded with Prosopis species have been rehabilitated.

-About 200 women have diversified their income through milk value chain development.

-New training manual for dry valley measures has been developed for Code Polytechnic College in the Somali Regional State.

-The evaluation shows that fodder production remains a strategic issue for the government and improving fodder value chains on rehabilitated land including storage facilities is crucial.

-The increased frequency of drought in the project target areas along with the case load of internally displace people in the SNRS calls up for a strong collaboration   humanitarian aid and development cooperation.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Foreign state institution


Coordination with other projects and actors

National level: MOA, WB, DAD, USAID, & FAD

Operational level: WFP, 10M, Mercy Corps, & VSF-CH

National flagship projects: DRSLP, LLRP, & PSNP

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’364’884 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF   18’000’000
Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2023 - 30.06.2026   (Current phase)

Phase 2 01.01.2020 - 30.09.2022   (Active)

Phase 1 01.02.2014 - 31.03.2020   (Active)