FAO along with Government of Japan launch project to mitigate drought impact in Eastern Africa regions

A new project, 'Mitigating the impact of drought for the most vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda,' has been launched as a joint initiative of the Government of Japan and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), targeting drought-affected herders and agro-pastoralists in Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda

The joint programme is implemented at the time when the Horn of Africa is experiencing severe drought, as a result of five consecutive poor rainy seasons. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The joint programme is implemented at the time when the Horn of Africa is experiencing severe drought, as a result of five consecutive poor rainy seasons – the worst in 40 years. The decline in food security in these areas has urged the the Government of Japan and FAO to launch the project to alleviate the vulnerability of a total of 69,120 beneficiaries in the three countries.

Appreciating the contribution of the Government of Japan to alleviate the plight of vulnerable communities in the Horn of Africa, David Phiri, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and Representative to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, reaffirmed that, with this contribution, FAO would be in a better position to keep herders and pastoral communities on their feet by reducing their exposure to shocks and building their livelihoods bases.

Moreover, in order to boost pastoralists' resilience, the FAO will promote risk reduction management, early warning systems and enhanced knowledge and education, thereby helping communities cope with climate change implications.