FAO reaches out to drought-hit communities in Ethiopia
Government and FAO delegation visited pastoralist communities affected by the prolonged drought in Borena
03 March 2023, Addis Ababa: A high-level delegation led by H.E. Fikru Regassa (Dr), the State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), accompanied by Farayi Zimudzi, FAO’s Country Representative visited the drought-stricken Borena Zone of Oromia Region. The delegation handed over animal feed to the pastoralist communities as part of the support FAO and partners are providing to drought affected households in Oromia, SNNP and Somali regions. The 86 tonnes handed over, are part of 4 000 tonnes of animal feed that is being provided by FAO with the financial support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), German, Norway and United States Governments as well as the United Nations Central Emergency Fund (CERF).
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to continue providing an enabling environment to fast-track the provision of the much-needed support.
“While putting on its efforts to save lives of the remaining livestock through coordinating humanitarian organizations and partners like the FAO, the government will also relentlessly work to mitigate the disaster from risking human lives,” underlined Dr Fikru.
“The loss of livelihoods and assets caused by the drought which commenced back in 2020, is leading to destitution and widespread displacement. With a possible sixth consecutive poor rainfall season, every effort needs to be taken to avoid further losses,” said Ms Zimudzi.
She noted that female headed households have comparably lost more livestock than male headed, with some loosing entire herds. She urged partners to consider prioritizing such vulnerable groups in the provision of immediate support and also in finding alternative livelihoods.
“It is high time to strengthen adaptation measures in the face of the harsh and ever-changing environment; pastoralists need to be supported to cope with the intense droughts, as well as to diversify their livelihoods. This calls for investment in water management” called Ms Zimudzi.
Ms Zimudzi acknowledged that while addressing the immediate needs in the form of providing feed, water, animal health services and cash there is a need to concurrently support local production of feed and service provision through the private sector and community institutions.
“We appreciate the support; however, this covers only a few households as the problem is massive,” explained Godana Kanchora, an agropastoralist. “The impact of the drought is now beyond our capacity, the places we would normally migrate to for water and pasture are equally affected. We would have liked to host you properly, or at least give you a cup of milk, but all our livestock are dry,” he regretted.
Contact
Meseret Abiy
National Communications Specialist, Addis Ababa
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +251 11 647 8888; Mobile: +251 911 161702
Twitter: @FAOEthiopia