The impacts of new boreholes on coping with drought in Ethiopia and Kenya
The current approach to providing new water supplies is undermining pastoralists’ resilience, not enhancing it.
This report covers nine sites across Marsabit Co., Kenya and Somali Region, Ethiopia. Permanent water supplies are often assumed to have a positive impact on climate resilience. However, there are concerns about potential negative effects of water supply developments in drylands on grazing patterns, settlement and conflicts. To manage these risks, planning for water investments must be informed by evidence (not assumptions) on their links with resilience. Study teams visited four sites in different sub-counties in Marsabit County, Kenya, and five sites in Geshamo and Dagahbur districts in Somali Region, Ethiopia.