Social Protection, Pastoralism and Resilience in Ethiopia : Lessons for Sub-saharan Africa

This book investigates the role of social protection amongst African pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, with a particular focus on Ethiopia.

Based on rigorous empirical research, this book assesses the successes, failures, prospects and lessons learned from Africa’s largest social security intervention: Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme. It goes beyond an analysis of immediate impacts, exploring factors such as highland-lowland interactions, rural-urban linkages, economic diversification, the role of youth, indigenous safety nets and social capital. Special attention is given to gender-responsive social protection measures and to the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the book demonstrates the value of indigenous knowledge systems and local institutions in contributing to the design of more effective safety net programmes and disaster responses and in helping people to build resilience and cope with shocks.

At a time when social protection is gaining prominence in contemporary development discourse, this book will be of interest to development practitioners.

Zeremariam Fre is Associate Professor (Teaching) at the Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London, UK and a Fellow for Global Reconciliation (FGR).

Bereket Tsegay is a post-doctoral Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London and a Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst at the London-based not-for-profit research institute the Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA).

Araya M. Teka is Assistant Lead Researcher in the Economy Unit, Tigray Institute of Policy Studies, Mekelle and formerly a lecturer at Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia.

Nicole Kenton is a freelance editor and international development professional with a particular focus on climate change and food security in dryland Africa.

John Livingstone is the Regional Research and Policy Officer for the Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA).