Emergency Comprehensive Agricultural Support for drought affected  communities of West Imi Woreda, Afder Zone of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. The UN-OCHA situation report of mid December 2022 confirms that, in Somali region, there was a significant underperformance of Deyr rains (October-December). Similar situation has happened across the whole eastern and southern part of Ethiopia, causing devastating drought for a possibility of fifth consecutive period. Following the recurrent droughts, erratic and poor Deyr rain and the poor regeneration of browse and pasture, livestock that were already in poor condition have continued to lose weight with the result that pastoral households have little or no access to milk and increasing numbers of households are reporting livestock deaths. 

According to the multi-agency assessment report of December 2022 of Afdher zone, in the 9 Woredas of the zone the total number of livestock death due to drought and diseases stands at staggering 1,858,348 out of which 177,526 is for West Imi Woreda alone. The situation is further exacerbated by rising cereal prices, and declining livestock prices. Crop production in the woreda is severely underperforming due to the recurrent droughts coupled with the lack of access to inputs, such as improved seeds, farm implements, and improved production systems. PAPDA is planning a comprehensive agricultural intervention project in West Imi Woreda of Afdher zone Somali Region. The envisaged project aims to provide comprehensive agricultural assistance to drought affected pastoralists and agro pastoralist communities of the Woreda. The intervention aims to reduce the draught impact and save livelihoods through enhancing the food production capacity of the affected populations with the specific objective of livestock and crop production through interconnected and comprehensive approach. 

The project will support the livestock sector through emergency destocking of weak animals, and through livestock vaccination support. The project will also improve livestock health through maintenance and refurnishing of veterinary posts, cattle crushes, gates and ramps. The projects will also arrange for the training of animal health experts. The project will support agro pastoralist communities through provision of agricultural inputs in terms of moisture stress resistance crops, fruits, vegetables and fodder seeds as well as small farm hand tools complemented by multipurpose cash distribution for food and other relevant essential services. Damaged and nonfunctional irrigation canals will be maintained coupled with the provision of medium sized water pumps to youth groups. The project will ensure that the supply of inputs and services are contextualized and are accepted by the beneficiary communities. Access to water for livestock will be improved through maintenance of damaged water schemes, installation of additional public water points and through maintenance and rehabilitation of cattle troughs. The cumulative anticipated results of the project will be strengthened community’s capacity to produce foods and increase their resilience to the recurrent droughts in 10 kebeles of the woreda. The project will be implemented in nine months with a total budget of 500,000 USD targeting 1,500 HHs (8,500 individuals).

A specific project implementation modality will be put in place supported and technically guided by the head-office staff with regular close monitoring support to the staff in the field. A project office will be established in West Imi Worda and will be staffed with qualified personnel and necessary materials and will be delegated to implement and follow-up the day-to-day activities. The field office will be complemented by the area office in Goro Bekeksa which will further give technical support to the project implementation. Update and reports of each project activities will be regularly shared with the respective clusters, such as food and livelihood, nutrition, health and WASH.  PAPDA will continue to strengthen its partnership, cooperation and coordination with relevant stakeholders