June 9, 2025 • 2 min read
In Borena, Ethiopia, severe drought claimed millions of livestock, devastating pastoralist communities and leaving families like Mute Halo in poverty. GOAL, funded by the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund, adopted a new approach to livestock restocking by empowering community members to select locally adapted goats from nearby markets. This initiative not only revitalized livelihoods but also bolstered the local economy.
The Borena Zone, a predominantly pastoralist zone in southern Ethiopia, faced one of its worst droughts in decades between 2021 and 2023. Families dependent on livestock were plunged into extreme poverty.
As the rains returned, the humanitarian focus shifted, leaving communities to grapple with the long-term impacts. To address these challenges, GOAL launched a project aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening resilience against future climate shocks.
The Crisis and Its Impact on Mute and her community
The drought caused unprecedented losses, resulting in over 3.5 million livestock deaths, which led to widespread poverty and food insecurity.
Mute Halo, a 40-year-old widow and mother of five, is one of the many pastoralists whose lives were upended by the drought. The disaster claimed 24 of her cattle, leaving her dependent on aid organisations for survival. For Mute and others in her community, losing their livestock was not just an economic blow but also a cultural and emotional one. In Borena’s pastoralist society, owning livestock is a source of pride and identity, and being left without animals carries a deep sense of shame.
GOAL’s Community-Driven Approach
GOAL’s livestock restocking initiative marked a departure from conventional methods. Instead of making bulk purchases from distant markets, community members selected goats that were adapted to local conditions. This approach empowered participants, minimised health risks, and boosted the local economy, setting a new standard for effective and sustainable humanitarian interventions.
For Mute, the impact was profound. When the goats were handed over to her, her emotions overflowed. “I have nothing to give you in return except my blessings. What you have done has restored my dignity. The drought stripped me of everything, but you have given me back my pride as a pastoralist,” she said.
Rebuilding for the Future
The success of this initiative has spurred efforts to diversify income sources, with projects promoting mixed farming and other sustainable livelihoods.
“This method is unique and highly effective. The method involves the community in the process, which has significant psychological and economic benefits. It also eliminates the risk of introducing diseases from animals brought in from other regions,” said Dida Sumeglo, representative of the district Disaster Prevention and Risk Management office.
Collaboration between local government and aid organisations aims to reduce vulnerability and ensure communities are better equipped to withstand future climate shocks.
