DRESS-EA

Drought remains one of the most severe natural hazards threatening livelihoods and socio-economic development across the IGAD region. Its impacts are felt most acutely by smallholder farmers and pastoralists, whose reliance on rainfed agriculture and fragile ecosystems is making them increasingly vulnerable. Since the 1980s, more frequent and prolonged rainfall deficits have further undermined their production systems and weakened their resilience.

Yet, the region holds significant assets. Fertile land, rangelands, forests, water resources and wetlands offer an immense potential to sustain livelihoods and provide a foundation for building resilience—if managed in a sustainable and equitable way. Harnessing these natural resources effectively is therefore key to mitigating climate risks and safeguarding the future of rural communities.

Against this backdrop, the initiative seeks to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralists by combining early warning systems with practical adaptation measures tailored to local realities. The approach focuses on enhancing regional drought early warning mechanisms, building capacities at local, national and regional levels, enabling communities to adopt innovative adaptation practices, and promoting knowledge management and information sharing on drought resilience.

Expected outcomes include more effective use of early warning systems, stronger partnerships for coordinated drought management, wider access to innovative adaptation tools, and improved awareness and knowledge of climate risks. Together, these results aim to lay the foundation for collective, sustainable responses to the challenges of drought in the IGAD region.