FAO urges Ethiopia to shift from aid to early action
The UN agency wants Ethiopia to invest in forecasts and warnings to protect livelihoods before climate disasters strike.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is urging Ethiopia to move away from emergency aid towards anticipatory action for recurring climate disasters. FAO Assistant Director-General Abebe Haile-Gabriel stated that Ethiopia needs to invest in early warning systems and scientific forecasting to protect communities before crises escalate. He noted that repeated responses after livestock and crops are lost offer no sustainable solution to the country's climate vulnerability.
Instead of reacting to disasters, the FAO advocates for a system where authorities anticipate climate threats and act on scientific forecasts. This approach involves identifying high-risk communities and deploying targeted support, such as pre-positioning livestock feed, strengthening veterinary services, and distributing drought-resistant seeds. The goal is to protect productive assets before households suffer losses.
This call comes as Ethiopia faces climate concerns linked to El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, which affect rainfall patterns. While drought is a priority, excessive rainfall and floods are also a concern for the October-December season. Ethiopia has already activated anticipatory action in four districts across the Somali and Oromia regions, with approximately 9.3 million people residing in districts identified for early intervention.
Why it mattersEthiopian farmers and pastoralists face repeated losses of livestock and crops due to climate shocks, and the FAO proposes a shift to anticipatory action to protect their livelihoods.