World Bank provides $340mln to boost the resilience of 3mln Ethiopians in drought prone lowlands

Addis Ababa, March 30, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopians living in climate-affected lowlands of the country will receive new support thanks to a 340 million USD credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to enhance their livelihoods and climate resilience.

A total of 3 million people, many of which are pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in drought-prone areas, are set to benefit.

World Bank said that Ethiopians nationwide are struggling with the stark realities of climate change, brought on by frequent and severe droughts, as well as devastating flash floods. The livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists have been particularly hard hit. In the past three years, the lowlands have suffered from consecutive severe droughts, resulting in significant livestock losses, profoundly affecting the lives of millions who depend on these animals for their survival, according to the World Bank.

Building on the achievements of the first Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRPI), which made notable progress in enhancing the livelihood resilience of pastoral communities, the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project Phase Two (LLRP II) approved today, has been designed with more focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation in order to mitigate, and tackle these challenges more systematically and comprehensively.

“LLRPII is part of our efforts to foster climate-resilient livelihoods and ecosystems by maximizing the potential of the lowlands to contribute to national efforts on growth and poverty reduction. The introduction of an early warning and response system, integrated rangeland management, and the promotion of climate-resilient and sustainable livelihoods, along with policy engagement, is central to this project,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan.

LLRP II will promote technologies, innovations, and practices that enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation at the household, community, production system, and ecosystem levels. The project will integrate an early warning and early action system with nature-based and community-led rangeland management approaches and practices. Additionally, the establishment and rollout of web-based national rangelands monitoring systems will enhance the productivity of rangelands, contributing to the climate resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral ecosystems amid increasing climate pressures.

The project also supports the adoption of climate-smart agricultural and livestock production technologies, innovations, and practices to foster green and climate-resilient food systems among the communities. Furthermore, it will facilitate access to rural financial services for diversified and alternative livelihood options for those seeking to supplement or transition from their livestock-based livelihoods due to the impacts of climate change.

“The project will play a crucial role in improving the livelihoods and climate resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopian Lowlands by addressing their core constraints,” said Esayas Nigatu, Senior Livestock Specialist and World Bank Task Team Leader. “Its design draws on practical insights from the ongoing first phase and recent studies conducted by the World Bank and its development partners.”

The financing provided by the World Bank will be complemented by an 80 million USD co-financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), exemplifying a partnership geared towards impactful change. This joint effort highlights a steadfast commitment to reducing poverty within Ethiopia’s most vulnerable communities, World Bank noted.