Strengthening Drought Resilience for Smallholder Farmers and Pastoralists in the IGAD Region (DRESS-EA)
Across the IGAD region, 60–70% of land is classified as arid or semi-arid, receiving less than 600 mm of rainfall annually. Climate change has increased the frequency, severity, and duration of droughts, placing unprecedented pressure on water resources, agricultural systems, and pastoral livelihoods.
Despite the growing risks, adaptive capacity remains limited. Early Warning Systems (EWS) are often fragmented, institutional coordination is weak, and critical climate and drought information does not consistently reach farmers and pastoralists in time to inform decision-making. These gaps exacerbate vulnerability and undermine resilience.
Implementing Entity: Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS)
Executing Entity: Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa (GWP-EA)
Partner Countries: Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda
Project Duration: 2020–2026
Total Budget: USD 13,079,540
Thematic Focus: Disaster Risk Reduction and Early Warning Systems
The project contributes directly to the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) and supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly: SDG 6,13 and 17