Community-based Anticipatory Action in the Borana Zone, Ethiopia

This research analyses community-based anticipatory action in two pastoralist communities in the Borana region of southern Ethiopia exploring local perspectives on risk, vulnerability, and adaptive capacity. The aim is to identify opportunities to strengthen anticipatory action systems that enhance food security and resilience to multiple hazards. The research comprises multiple methods. The literature review provides contextual grounding, while focus group discussions offer insight into lived experiences and socio-cultural dynamics of decision-making. A participatory action workshop fostered dialogue among community members, NGOs, and government stakeholders to co-develop actionable solutions. The findings offer a context-sensitive understanding of both the potential and limitations of anticipatory action in the Borana zone, culminating in practical recommendations for local, regional, and national actors involved in disaster preparedness and early response. The conclusion summarizes the mechanisms to be strengthened to enhance food security and resilience among the Borana pastoralists.