Ethiopia and Kenya Collaborate to Support Pastoral Communities Amid Climate Challenges

NAIROBI – In a concerted effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change and enhance the livelihood of pastoralist communities, Ethiopia and Kenya are advancing collaborative projects, according to Bernard Kimoro, Head of the State Department for Livestock in Kenya. In an interview with ENA, Kimoro highlighted the shared challenges and resources between the two nations, emphasizing their commitment to improving the conditions of their pastoral communities.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, both countries face similar climate-related issues, affecting their pastoralist communities who rely heavily on shared resources across the border. To address these challenges, Kenya has implemented cross-border interventions, including the De-risking Inclusion and Value Enhancement for Pastoralists project. This initiative, part of a broader Horn of Africa regional effort involving Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti, aims to support pastoralists in managing livestock loss, purchasing feed, and accessing loans and grants for forage production and business ventures to enhance their resilience to climate variability.

Kimoro underscored the significance of long-term cooperation between Ethiopia and Kenya, referring to previous joint projects such as the Regional Pastoral Livelihood Resilience Project. He stressed the importance of joint markets for the mobility of livestock, allowing pastoralists from either country to sell their animals across the border. This collaboration extends to sharing water and forage resources during droughts, exemplifying the deep-rooted partnership between the Borana communities in Kenya and Ethiopia, who coexist despite the international border.

In addition to these projects, Kimoro commended Ethiopia’s tree-planting program, revealing that Kenya has adopted a national policy to plant 15 billion trees, inspired by Ethiopia’s environmental initiatives. He explained that tree planting not only improves the ecosystem but also supports livestock by providing additional feed, thereby aiding in drought mitigation efforts.

The collaboration between Ethiopia and Kenya represents a model of cross-border cooperation in addressing climate change and supporting the vulnerable pastoralist communities, ensuring their sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.