Integrated livelihood project in Irob and Gulomekeda districts in Eastern Tigray Tigray Region is in northern Ethiopia, with an estimated population of 4.3 million  of which 80.5% live in rural areas.  Agriculture is the mainstay of the people, mostly at subsistence level. The land holding per household is small, the soil is degraded and less fertile and rainfall is very erratic. As a result production and productivity is very low and average household production provides food for only 4.5 months of the year. 
Poverty levels in Tigray Region are high compared to other parts of the country. The interim report on Poverty Analysis Study (2010-11) estimated that 29.6% of people in Ethiopia are poor (poverty head count index) and 33.6% of people are food poor (food poverty head count index. In terms of regional distribution, the study revealed that the poverty head count index is the highest in Afar Region (36.1%) followed by Somali Region (32.8%) and Tigray Region (31.8%),  In terms of food poverty, the highest rates were observed in Amhara Region (42.5%) followed by Tigray Region (37.1%). 
The Eastern Zone of Tigray Region is the most drought-prone and majority of the districts in the region, including the target districts Irob and Gulomekeda are classified as hot spot areas. Thus, in most of the cases the people found in these areas are supported by the government Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) and a number of emergency interventions.  In recent years, 73% of households in Gulomekeda district were PSNP beneficiaries, of which 62% were engaged in public works and the remaining 11% were receiving free support. Similarly, almost 100% of the households in Irob district are engaged in PSNP. Water availability throughout the year is variable and very few water points (hand dug wells and shallow wells) provide a year round service. The majority of people have no access to potable water for 3-6 months mainly during the dry season. 
The main factors that contributed to the problem are several and moisture stress is a leading factor for lower production of crops and livestock more specifically in the targeted areas and generally at regional level. The annual rainfall of the area is estimated to range from 400mm-600mm which is among the lowest category in the region. As general trend; however, drought is occurring within three years of time and the area is becoming more and more prone to drought and crop failure. In addition to climatic change, degradation of vegetative coverage and high run of flood is also another factor contributing to moisture stress in the area. As a consequence of the problems crop failure, chronic food insecurity, vulnerability to external shocks and malnutrition is pervasive and persistent in the area. Similarly, poor productivity of local breeds, limited animal feed, lack of water for animals, lack of veterinary services at local level and free grazing practice are leading problems causing lower productivity of livestock in the area. The existing grazing land is very small in size and its poor management (free grazing), coupled with moisture stress also contributes to its lower productivity. 
Another core problem in the targeted area is degradation of natural resource base, which is a main challenge of sustainable production. Due to deforestation and high run off, the amount of annual soil erosion from farmlands, grazing lands and also from hillsides is estimated to be very high. On annual basis significant numbers of gullies are formed in farmlands as well as in grazing lands, contributing to decreased size of available productive lands. Furthermore, the degradation of natural resource base has direct impact on erosion of upper soil and reducing the moisture retention capacity of the farmlands. Besides these, lack of diversified source of household income mainly due to limited access to credit service, lack of vocational skills and lack of basic infrastructure are also a major problem which exposed the targeted community very vulnerable to shocks. 
In order to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households in the target area, it is necessary to support an increase in productive capacity and to build resilience at household and community level. A preliminary assessment found that the target area has potential for irrigation development, livestock production and other off farm activities. Thus, the project envisages irrigation development, drinking water development, and livestock and off farm interventions as core activities for livelihoods strengthening.
It is to be recalled that in the last three years, Connect II was piloted in Beira site via the parish there through which effective communication between Beira communities and communities in England and Wales was established. Since the project has phased out of Beira, the parish of Sebeya in Gulemakada district is selected to be the focal point for Connect II to communicate the life conditions of Sebeya communities (project beneficiaries in particular), development interventions by ADCS Livelihood Project there and improvements in the lives of these people through the project in the coming five years to the supporting communities in England and Wales. 
It is expected that 2,985 HH out of which 1,523 female HH to benefit directly from the project and indirectly 13,150 people.