Abstract:
The lo w l a n d s of eastern and southern Ethiopia have long been negJeeted.
Development efforts have focused mainly on the more densely populated
highlands, where sedentary agriculture is the norm. Pastoralist areas seem
to attract attention only when they are afflicted by droughts or conflicts.
The lowlands are arid to semi-arid with highly variable and uncertain rainfall,
averaging from 100 to 700 mm a year, but with periodic droughts that may last
for several years. Temperatures may rise to 50°C in the Afar lowlands. Population
densities are low, with around 6.5 million people inhabiting about 450,000
km2.
The people who live here have adapted to this harsh and fragile environment.
Pastoralism is the most appropriate form of livelihood. Afar, Somali and Boorana
pastoralists herd their livestock throughout the rangelands in search of
grazing and water. These areas are home to between one-third and one-haLf of
Ethiopia's cattle, half of its sheep and goats, and all the camels.
There are traces of cultivation around villages where population densities are
relatively high, and in valleys and along rivers where the agroecological conditions
permit crop growing. A few scattered towns provide markets and services
for the pastoralists. Infrastructure is poorly developed: there are few roads, limited
electricity and water supplies, and poor communications, health and veterinary
facilities. Most adults are illiterate, and few children (especially girls)
are able to attend school.
Food security is a persistent problem in pastoralist areas. Chronic food deficiencies
are exacerbated by drought: between 1980 and 2000, three major droughts
struck these areas. Boorana pastoralists lost up to two-thirds of their animals.
The plight of the people on each occasion stimulated major donor-funded relief
efforts.
