Launching a User-Centered Rangeland and Water Monitoring System for Early Warning in Ethiopia's Pastoral Areas

Pastoralist communities in Ethiopia have long suffered from climate-induced shocks and stressors, leading to significant livestock losses which in turn cause food insecurity, severe disruptions to livelihoods, and human displacement as people search for sources of food and water. To support local communities to overcome these challenges, timely and reliable information is essential. However, the lack of access to comprehensive water and pasture information is a challenge for Ethiopian pastoralists, decision-makers, policy planners, and other stakeholders to effectively address climate-induced challenges.

To address this, the Alliance – in collaboration with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs), the Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), and other key partners – developed a User-Centered Integrated Rangeland and Water Monitoring and Early Warning System in Pastoral areas of Ethiopia, launched in February 2024 in Addis Ababa, and now in Yabello, applying the system at a regional level; this innovative system aims to empower pastoralists with the information needed to make informed decisions.

 Group photo from the launch in Yabello, Ethiopia