Cross-border activities for livelihood security in the Horn of Africa

Pastoralist communities have long carried out a wide range of cross-border activities to protect their livelihoods and livestock production systems in order to cope with the recurrent climatic variations typical of dryland environments. However, there is limited understanding of the nature, magnitude and value of these cross-border livelihood activities in the Horn of Africa. National and international agencies generally give little attention and support to them, and national decision-makers give little attention to the important contribution of such cross-border activities to regional, national and local economies and food security in the region.

The Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) Policy Brief 41 “Working across borders: harnessing the potential of cross-border activities to improve livelihood security in the Horn of Africa drylands” (2010, 7pp) by Sara Pavanello argues that harnessing the largely unexplored potential of cross-border activities for the livelihoods of pastoralist communities in the Horn of Africa calls for a deeper understanding of the wide range of activities, risks and vulnerabilities that span international borders. It is also necessary to recognise that a timely, adequate and comprehensive response to drought must give attention to border areas and support cross-border activities.

The policy brief focuses on cross-border dynamics between Kenya and Ethiopia, which is where the Regional Resilience Enhancement Against Drought (RREAD) Programme of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) focused its interventions.

Posted on 2 January 2021 in Pastoralism & Marketing, Pastoralism, Mobility & Land Tenure, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition, Value of Pastoralism