Nomadic pastoralism and agropastoralism are the prevailing livestock production systems in Somalia, with a minimal proportion of livestock raised in (peri-)urban stall-feeding operations, amplifying the vulnerability of these traditional livelihoods to the recurring challenges posed by drought. The primary objective of this paper is to present a quantitative assessment of...

Through the Swedish-funded Supporting Resilient Smallholder Farming systems in Somalia project, FAO is working to enhance food and nutrition security and smallholder income, therefore improving the resilience of communities to threats and crises in Hirshabelle and Southwest states. Within the rainfed and riverine areas, the project is supporting 24 farming...

A short yet perilous seven-kilometre road connects the towns of Buufow and Shalanbood in southern Somalia. The once prosperous agricultural area that produced fruits and vegetables for the region has experienced decades of conflict and destabilization. Just like most parts of the country, the region is severely affected by the...

A new food security and nutrition analysis reveals that famine is unfolding in parts of Somalia, while staggering levels of suffering can be seen across the country. In response, the heads of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the longest-standing and highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the United Nations system, issued a statement today calling...

The first wave of desert locust swarms hit Somalia in 2019. Carpets of hopper bands and clouds of locust swarms resembling those of a storm started appearing throughout the country. As the locusts descended on any vegetation they could find, crops succumbed to their appetite; fields became barren with nothing...

Somalia has experienced years of conflict and fragility resulting in chronic poverty and vulnerability, displacement, poor economic capacity and food and nutrition insecurity. Half of Somalia’s population lives in rural areas, and agriculture – i.e. crops, livestock and fisheries – is the main source of economic activity, employment and exports....

In December 2019, Cyclone Pawan hit Ali Mahamud Rubaax’s village of Dharkeynley in Beletweyne, central Somalia. The storm’s rain caused the river levels to reach their maximum, breaking their banks and overflowing into the village and surrounding areas leaving most of the town under water. About 182 000 people from this district...

Somalia faces major economic obstacles to economic development characterized by weak institutions, insecurity, a persistent insurgency, dilapidated infrastructure, environmental degradation, and climate change. Yet it is clear that agriculture is and will remain central to Somalia’s economic development. This Overview report – a summary of the main report – provides the...

In May 2017, following decades of civil war and political upheaval, coupled with persistent and worsening drought effects, nearly half of the Somali population (6.7 million people) faced acute food insecurity. With one of the least-developed fisheries sectors – averaging one per cent of the county’s annual gross domestic product...

As part of FAO’s Blue Growth Initiative (BGI) the FAO Member Countries of the Eastern Africa Sub-Region met to agree on a strategy for the Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture within the Blue Growth Initiative in Eastern Africa (BGI Strategy). The BGI is an FAO flagship initiative that aims at...

Historically, pastoralists have been marginalized, and policies have been geared towards encouraging, and in some instances forcing, their settlement and sedentarization. Misunderstanding of their livelihoods has also led to abandonment of their customary institutions and practices. However, scientific evidence shows that mobile pastoralism is the most sustainable way of using...

Droughts in the Horn of Africa have been increasing in severity and frequency, and aggravated by desertification, land degradation and climate change. With multiple consecutive years of poor rains, dry spells and drought, including the El Niño-induced drought in 2015/16, there has been little to no recovery among affected households...

This report consolidates findings from previous activities by FAO and other stakeholders, and identifies in the four focus countries (Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti & Somalia): - the location and direction of the main livestock trade routes, - appropriate sites for rehabilitation & development of strategic livestock water sources, - good practices...

Populations in Africa are increasingly exposed to the negative impact of natural and human-induced disasters such as drought, floods, disease epidemics and conflicts which threaten the agriculture production systems and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. The initiative on “Building Resilience in Africa’s Drylands” was developed to enhance the capacity of these...

This Edition of RAF Newsletter captures the key projects and success stories of FAO across the subregion of Africa. It also present to readers news highlights and titbits of FAO activities in focus.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO’s) cash and voucher programmes benefit smallholder farmers who are particularly vulnerable to natural hazards, market volatility, conflicts and protracted crises. Cash and vouchers play a critical role in response to crises or shocks when farmers and pastoralists no longer have...

FAO Sub-Regional Office for East Africa and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have signed a partnership agreement to coordinate cross-border efforts on animal health, trade and natural resources management coordination.  The programme will address community engagement on policy and investment as well as cross cutting areas of work such...

El Niño is the warming of sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific, which occurs roughly every 2 to 7 years, lasting from 6 to 24 months. While the main threat to food production is reduced rainfall and drought in some regions, El Niño can also cause heavy rains and...

Somalia’s agricultural sector has been undermined by years of conflict and climatic shocks, but WFP and its partners are helping farmers rebuild the sector and reconnect with markets. In partnership with FAO and the Somali Ministry of Agriculture, and with long-term support from the European Union (EU), WFP is working...

Cash-for-work interventions implemented by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization are providing an income lifeline to communities affected by the ongoing drought in northern Somalia. While putting much needed cash in people’s pockets to buy food, the work is empowering communities to rebuild vital infrastructure with their own hands. ...