A Family’s Fight Through Recurrent Drought

In Borana Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia region, years of repeated drought have steadily worn-down lives and livelihoods. For pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, the effects go far beyond dry land. Families face shrinking income, rising food shortages, and increasing pressure to leave their homes in search of survival. 

Ayantu, a mother of five from Yabelo district, is one of many women whose family was pushed to the edge by these conditions. Before the drought, Ayantu and her husband supported their children through pastoral livelihoods, relying on what they produced and what they could sell locally. As drought conditions persisted, their resources disappeared. Eventually, the family lost all their livestock, along with their primary means of providing food and income. 

When survival demands displacement  

Without a reliable livelihood, meeting daily needs became a struggle. The family’s food options grew limited, and meals became less frequent. The children most affected were the youngest Ayantu’s twins, both under the age of five who began showing clear signs of malnutrition as food shortages continued. As the situation worsened, Ayantu began to fear that staying in her community might no longer be possible. Like many families in Borana facing prolonged hardship, leaving home in search of food and support became a real consideration. The place she had always known as home was no longer able to sustain her family. 

The support that restored stability 

At a critical moment, Ayantu’s household was identified during a community outreach by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia. A needs assessment conducted in Yabelo showed severe food insecurity and malnutrition levels beyond emergency thresholds, with most households experiencing crisis-level hunger. In response, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia, with support from SOS d’Enfants Monde Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs, implemented the Provision of Critical Emergency Gap-Filling Interventions and Livelihood Support for Vulnerable Households Impacted by Recurrent Drought in Borana Zone of Oromia Region Project (2023–2025). 

Through this project, Ayantu’s family received support designed to meet urgent needs while helping them rebuild their livelihoods. The family was provided with agricultural inputs suited to the local context, including moringa seedlings, mung beans, carrots, and other green vegetables. When even minimal rainfall arrived, Ayantu planted what she could near her home and harvested small but important amounts for family consumption and income. 

The family also received four goats, helping restore access to food. Beehives, a livelihood option they had never considered before were another form of support provided through the project. With practical training on hive management and honey harvesting, Ayantu learned how to manage the hives effectively. Honey became not only a nutritious food for the household, but also a product she could confidently sell at the local market. In addition, the family received cash support, which allowed them to meet immediate household needs and invest in rebuilding their livelihoods through the purchase of six additional goats.

Rebuilding from the ground up  

The combined support helped the family regain stability. Food availability improved, particularly for the children, and diversified income sources reduced the constant pressure of daily survival. Income from honey and vegetable sales gave Ayantu greater confidence and control over household resources. As their situation improved and income became more reliable, Ayantu and her husband began saving on their own. This marked an important shift, from coping day to day, to preparing for future challenges. 

“If there was no one to help us at that difficult time, our situation could have been very severe,” Ayantu says. “Our children would have suffered much more. Because of the support, we are still here today.” 

Remaining at home 

The drought has not ended, and challenges remain across Borana. But Ayantu’s family no longer faces the immediate risk of displacement. They now rely on a mix of livestock products, honey, vegetables grown when rain allows, and savings to manage difficult periods. Ayantu’s story reflects the reality of many families in drought-affected areas: displacement is often not a choice, but a last resort. With timely, appropriate support, families can stabilize their lives, protect their children, and remain in their communities, even in the face of ongoing hardship. 

About the project 

Implemented between 2023 and 2025, the project successfully supported communities affected by recurrent drought in Borana Zone, Oromia Region by delivering both immediate humanitarian assistance and longer-term recovery support across four key areas: food security and livelihoods, health, nutrition, and protection. Over the course of the project, nearly 30,500 people were reached, including children, pregnant and lactating women, elders, and economically vulnerable households. By addressing urgent needs while strengthening resilience, the project has helped families remain safe in their homes and communities. 

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used.