September 15, 2025 (OROMIA, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Drought, Disaster, Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) Platform Coordination Unit, has embarked on a five-day field mission to Ethiopia’s Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNP) regions.
The mission brings together IDDRSI National Focal Points from IGAD Member States alongside members of the IDDRSI Steering Committee. It is designed to review and document progress under key resilience-building programmes, including the De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies Project (DRIVE), the Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (DRSLP), and the Building Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security Project (BREFONS).
Upon arrival at Jinka Airport, the IGAD delegation, together with representatives from the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, was welcomed by the Omo Zone Administration and project coordinators, who provided an initial briefing on resilience interventions in the area. The field visit then continued to Bene Tesemay Woreda, where the team observed a range of initiatives demonstrating how communities are building resilience to drought and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Highlights included an inspection of a water distribution system at Sitimba Kebele, discussions with Sitimba and Luka kebele livestock marketing cooperatives, an observation of fodder production activities, and visits to the Enchete Hay Store and local fodder marketing cooperatives.
These engagements showcase the collaborative efforts of IGAD, the Government of Ethiopia, and development partners such as Government of Sweden, African Development Bank Group, and World Bank in strengthening resilience and supporting sustainable development in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities.
