Social protection in pastoral areas in Eastern Africa

Social protection is a basic human right that strengthens the social contract between the State and its citizens. It leads to social development – a cornerstone of economic advancement and political stability. In pastoralist communities in Eastern Africa, networks based on religious, clan or family affiliations have long provided social protection against the chronic shocks inherent in the drylands. However, these informal support networks are under increasing pressure. Formal providers of social protection are governments, the private sector, humanitarian organisations and local and international donors. These providers concentrate mainly on providing assistance and services originally designed for sedentary populations, with little consideration for the specific needs and vulnerabilities of pastoralists.

The synthesis paper “Social protection in pastoral areas” (2009, 4pp), issued by the Humanitarian Policy Group in the Overseas Development Institute, maintains that a coherent social-protection framework is fundamental for pastoralists in Eastern Africa. A tailored approach to social protection for these communities is needed – one that recognises the context of pastoralist livelihoods and views social protection through a livelihoods lens. The study proposes the integration of four pillars of social protection (assistance, services, insurance and equity) and presents several concrete examples of interventions and also identifies gaps under each pillar.

The full report “Social protection in pastoral areas” (2009, 28pp) by Abdirahman Ali and Matthew Hobson was commissioned by Oxfam GB as part of an ECHO-funded project entitled “Reducing the vulnerability of pastoral communities through policy and practice change in the Horn and East Africa” – known as REGLAP (Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Advocacy Project) – coordinated by Save the Children (UK) and implemented together with CARE, Cordaid, VSF-Belgium, Overseas Development Institute, RECONCILE and CEMIRIDE.

Posted on 18 March 2018 in Pastoralism & Services, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition