Through the Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa (PLACE) Project, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners are supporting pastoral and agro-pastoral households through stronger animal health services, irrigation-based fodder production, fisheries development and community-led peacebuilding.

The project’s environmental, economic and social pillars help households adapt to changing conditions while strengthening resilience.

By integrating animal health, natural resource management, and livelihood support, the programme is laying the foundation for resilient pastoral systems. As communities in the Mandera Cluster continue to adapt and grow, these early gains signal a positive trajectory toward more secure and sustainable livelihoods.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A joint monitoring mission by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted encouraging progress in the imp...

About2 500 metric tonnes of fertilizers and nearly 1 000 metric tonnes of short-cycle and drought-tolerant seeds are reaching 21 500 most vulnerable households in contested areas (Ofla Woreda), Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. The “Lifesaving Humanitarian Assistance for Farmers, Pastoral and Agropastoral Communities in Ethiopia” is also providing a cash support, livestock feed and animal health services to more than 100 000 households in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and Somali regions as well as in the contested area (Ofla Woreda). 

As Ethiopia advances its food systems transformation agenda, investments, in food and feed safety and quality, human resources capacity development remain vital. Strengthened technical skills, coordinated One Health action and credible laboratory systems will protect the health of humans, animals and the environment and ensure safer food for all.

Despite below‑average rainfall during the last season, participating farmers recorded significantly higher harvests. For communities recovering from conflict and climate shocks, these gains translate into improved food security, income opportunities and renewed confidence in planning for future seasons. Marema Mursela reported harvesting 3.4 tonnes of sorghum, more than double her previous yields. "If the rain hadn't been short, it likely wouldn't have been less than 5 tonnes," she notes.

The pavilion highlighted Ethiopia's comparative advantages, including favorable agroclimatic conditions, growing production capacity and expanding agro-industrial infrastructure. It also promoted investment opportunities available through the integrated agro-industrial parks in Oromia and Sidama regions, which are designed to support food processing, value addition and export-oriented horticultural development.

FAO supports vaccination services that reach pastoralist communities and frontline animal health workers, providing essential veterinary services. The intervention focuses on preventing and controlling major livestock diseases, including Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP), and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which can severely affect livestock productivity and household incomes.

At Gara Sufi, community-led restoration is already transforming the landscape. More than 20 kilometres of terraces have been constructed, while tree planting has helped regenerate once-degraded hillsides and improve the surrounding ecosystem.

Building on Ethiopia’s engagement in global platforms, the event emphasized the importance of turning dialogue into concrete action. It served as a platform for youth leadership, innovation and multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen agrifood systems and deliver practical solutions aligned with national development priorities.

Held at the Addis International Convention Center (AICC), Ethiopia’s leading horticultural trade fair brought together more than 200 local and international exhibitors, including producers, buyers, exporters, investors, input suppliers, logistics and technology providers, financial institutions, and policymakers. High‑level buyers from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America participated in business‑to‑business meetings and sector dialogue on trade, agro‑logistics, sustainability and finance.

At a global workshop held in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, Workicho Jateno, Assistant FAOR (Programme) in Ethiopia; Junxia Song, Chief of the One Health and Disease Control Branch at FAO HQ and Project Lead Technical Officer; and Holly Rhymer, Head of the Fleming Fund, United Kingdom, set a clear tone: partnerships are not optional for advancing action against AMR – they are essential. 

The Global Roadmap supports the country’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, specifically the pillar focused on rebalancing growth and enhancing productivity. By fostering "horizontal collaboration" between public and private sectors, the initiative mirrors Ethiopia's "whole-of-government" approach to food systems.

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) has officially launched the digitalization of its Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Centre and announced the establishment of a PHEM Centre of Excellence, marking a major step in strengthening Ethiopia’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

he validated SSSA findings and jointly developed actionable recommendations will inform future investments, policy dialogue, and coordinated action, contributing to more resilient seed systems and sustainable agricultural development in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has launched the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) at a familiarization workshop held at the Ministry of Agriculture conference centre. The event marked an important step toward strengthening national engagement in the United Nations-designated year and raising awareness of the vital role that rangelands and pastoralists play in food security, climate resilience, ecosystem health, and rural livelihoods.

“By providing drought-tolerant seeds, practical training on Climate Smart Agriculture practice and cash assistance, farming families are not only recovering from recurrent shock, but they are rebuilding stronger, more climate-resilient livelihoods.”

UPLIFT activities focus on linking food systems to employment and livelihood resilience. By strengthening poultry production, the programme seeks to create inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and underserved smallholder farmers, thereby reducing long-term humanitarian reliance. 

Nigisti’s story is one of many women-headed households, averaging seven family members, supported by the project to regain self-sufficiency. “This support brought light back into my life. I can now feed my children and plan for the future,” she discloses.

The spread of AMR is projected to cause millions of deaths and could push millions more people into poverty if not urgently addressed through coordinated global action.