Position Paper on Drought Response - OCHANet

Identify past effective interventions and livelihood resilience building/ mitigation bestpracticesDevelop seasonal timeline to plan interventionsFormulate a coordinated approach to the impending disasterCreate a forum for the exchange of inter-agency and cross border response trackingTarget beneficiariesGreatest impact expected on pastoral especially considering HH already in HE and AFLCbefore the droughtThe very poor constitute around 30% of the livelihood and this should be the targetThe very poor HH in HE own 40-50 animals (Goats, Sheep & Cows)The HH already in HE and AFLC own 50-60 animalsCriteria for appropriate intervention measuresBased on specific trigger factors diminish access to waterRely on measurable parameters (water, fodder, livestock, markets and HH status)Linked to local/ traditional drought coping mechanismsEfficient, effective and replicableAGRICULTURE SECTORMost agricultural and agro-pastoral areas in southern Somalia are rain-fed and traditionallyused for subsistence farming, while northern and central pastoral and agro-pastoralcommunities heavily depend on rainfall for livestock and crop production. According to theinitial reports, production of sorghum, a staple crop for Somalis in the southern regions, islikely to be below normal, which will lead to a shortage of supply and consequent increase inlocal prices.For the livestock component of this livelihood see the pastoral approach.Below average rainfall in Bay, Shabelle, Gedo, Bakool and Hiran regions in southern Somaliahas already led to early crop failure with planted seeds not germinating in some areas.Farmers are already predicting low cereal production.Geographic areas of concern in Somalia3