Early Warning Systems and Humanitarian Response

pastoralists and livestock

The overall goal of this three-year research study is to help improve the lives and livelihoods of populations in pastoral areas of the Sudano-Sahel and Greater Horn of Africa by ensuring that early warning systems and humanitarian action are better attuned and more responsive to the needs and realities of these communities. We are doing this through a close examination and analysis of evidence and knowledge and identification of gaps in program and policy integration.

Our overall hypothesis is that early warning systems, anticipatory action, and humanitarian response does not adequately incorporate an understanding of pastoral and dryland systems into their approaches. To test this hypothesis, the research examines early warning systems and integrated humanitarian response in pastoral areas in the Sudano-Sahel and Greater Horn of Africa from at least three distinct but complementary perspectives: communities (i.e., pastoral communities affected by climate crises and conflict); institutions (i.e., national, regional and international institutions); and researchers (i.e., the academic and gray literatures).

Through these efforts, we expect the research to improve the wider humanitarian assistance policies and programs of national and international actors (i.e., bilateral donors, international organizations, humanitarian clusters, regional bodies, national and local governments, and national non-governmental and civil society organizations). Case studies will take place in western Chad, along the Kenya/Uganda border, and along the Ethiopia/Kenya border.