The African Development Bank Prepares a Regional Program on Drought Resilience in the Greater Horn of Africa

In a statement released today, the Resident Representative of the African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Abdul B. Kamara, informed the press that the ADB is currently consulting with Government authorities and other stakeholders to develop a programme intended to build resilience to droughts and provide sustainable livelihoods in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHOA). The programme, which seeks to reduce poverty, enhance food security and accelerate sustainable economic growth in the GHOA through improved rural incomes, is prepared by a group of technical experts from the Bank’s headquarters in Tunis, currently in Khartoum until late next week. The programme is financed by the African Development Bank and will benefit the following countries: Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The estimated cost of the program for all these countries is $300 million dollars, to be implemented in the next 5 years in selected locations based on identified needs and Government priorities.
In Sudan, the mission on 13-15 May 2012 consulted with authorities of the Directorate of International Financial Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to identify priority areas of intervention in the context of this programme. The mission will also visit and continue consultation with key sector ministries, including the Ministries of Animal Resources, Agriculture, Irrigation, Environment, as well as other stakeholders and donors.
The programme is intended enhance sustainable livelihoods and improve drought resilience through enhanced water resources development, management and availability for domestic, livestock, agricultural and energy sectors; improved livestock infrastructure for market access; improved management of rangelands to enhance forage availability in a sustainable managed environment; and improved livestock health. The program will also build human and institutional capacities to move higher on the water and livestock value chains, enhance the policy, legal and institutional environments for improved water and livestock systems, contribute to peace building and conflict resolution, and enhance regional cooperation and coordination in trans-boundary water resource management.
As the leading agency on this program, the African Development Bank is currently in consultation with many of other partners to garner support to develop the program in close collaboration and to develop synergy and ensure sustainability of the interventions. If approved and successfully implemented, the program will go a long way in improving the living conditions, particularly of the pastoral communities in the region. The proposed program will address the long existing problem of drought and floods in GHOA, stabilize the natural environment and livelihoods and build long term resilience in the region.