Blog Harnessing Decision Support Systems for Anticipatory Action to Strengthen Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Ethiopia

The workshop was inaugurated by by Dr. Tekleyohannes Berhanu - Director of the Pastoral Directorate at EIAR - who highlighted the challenges faced by pastoralists in the lowlands: “Climate change not only threatens livelihoods of pastoral and agropastoral communities, but also their cultural identity.” He added: “This project demonstrates a proactive measure that provides integrated water, pasture, and climate information.” Applauding the various partners involved in the project, he emphasized the need to strengthen coordination for anticipatory action through a data-driven and inclusive digital system. He also called on all stakeholders to remain focused on the shared goal of empowering pastoral communities. 

Dr. Sintayeu Alemayehu - Research Team Leader at the Alliance - delivered a presentation outlining the impact of drought including significant livestock losses, food insecurity, and disruptions to livelihoods and the national economy. He emphasized the role of digital systems in enhancing anticipatory action by integrating water, pasture, and climate data, while providing de-risking mechanisms through tools such as Pastoral Community Advisory (PCA) bulletins, SMS, radio, Pastoral Communities of Practice (PCoPs), and Community Information Centers (CICs). He also highlighted that the system is owned by the Government of Ethiopia under the EIAR, ensuring its long-term sustainability. 

Liyuneh Gebre - Associate Researcher at EIAR - conducted a live demo of the digital system, guiding participants on how to access its products. He emphasized the system’s accuracy in simulating the water and pasture information through the calibration and validation framework. Participants also explored the human-centered design approach used to integrate Indigenous and scientific knowledge within the digital monitoring system.

During a plenary discussion, participants highlighted several important aspects of the systems. Mr. Seid Omer - National Coordinator of the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRP) - emphasized the need for integration with other ongoing LLRP initiatives. The discussion also touched on the relevance of advisories for local communities, the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge, data collection methods, platform maintenance, gender responsiveness and accessibility of services for pastoralists which are critical considerations for the project's success. Participants commended the efforts of all partners involved and stressed the importance of scaling the platform to other pastoral regions of Ethiopia including Somalia, Afar, South Omo, and various parts of Oromia. Dr. Getachew Gebru praised the system, saying: "What you have done is consolidate different services into one toolbox, making it easier to access." He also acknowledged the institutionalization of the system by the EIAR and stressed the importance of developing a mechanism to track how the information is being used.

Following the plenary, a break-out session where participants from stakeholder institutions active in pastoral regions engaged in guided discussions to identify the specific needs and additional information  that will enhance the system’s capability to address their institutional needs to effectively serve pastoral communities. These discussions outlined several key improvements that will enhance the platform’s capability to meet institutional needs and inform its improvement and scaling.

Closing the event, Dr. Sintayehu Alemayehu noted that some of the suggestions outlined in the discussions have revealed how we can link those solutions with the system. He emphasized: “We will continue to invest our resources and skills to further enhance the system’s capabilities, and we are open to engaging and collaborating with any local, national and international partner who wants to join us.”