The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) have launched a €47 million, four-year initiative aimed at bolstering the resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa. The programme, titled “Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE),” addresses the environmental, economic, and social challenges faced by pastoral systems in the region amidst a rapidly changing climate.
However, pastoralism is at a critical juncture. Societal shifts mean fewer young people are interested in traditional pastoral lifestyles. Additionally, severe and frequent droughts have devastated rangelands, resulting in the loss of over 13 million livestock between late 2020 and early 2024.
PLACE’s holistic approach aims to foster an environment that promotes comprehensive and innovative solutions to enhance resilience, improve food security, and establish sustainable livelihoods. It will be implemented across four cross-border cluster areas: the Bahr el-Arab, Karamoja, Mandera, and Mara-Serengeti Clusters, spanning Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The programme focuses on environmental sustainability, economic development, and social inclusion, directly benefiting more than 100,000 households. Key areas of focus include:
- Strengthening land tenure systems
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Preserving biodiversity and natural resources
- Building strong local economies within the livestock sector
- Fostering sustainable economic growth
- Reducing resource-based conflicts
- Creating jobs
The initiatives will aim to improve living conditions, ensure fairness and inclusivity, and amplify the voices and participation of pastoralists, with particular attention to gender and youth inclusion.
