DanChurchAid
Ethiopia
Minority Rights Group International
In Ethiopia MRG has focused on especially pastoralist communities in the Afar, Oromyia and Somali regions (pastoralists are nomads living of herding cattle.
Some pastoralists are half farmers, half pastoralists according to season). MRGin the present DanChurchAid funded project works across borders with pastoralist groups in northern Kenya and Uganda and southern Ethiopia because many pastoralist groups earn their livelihood in more than one country.
MRG focus areas
The effort centers on issues of participation, peace-keeping initiatives and strengthening the livelihoods of pastoralists, acknowledging that pastoralism is as a distinct way of life that needs protection.
In Ethiopia pastoralist communities have been left out of decision making processes and in general have very little say on issues of importance to them.
The project targets so-called critical segments among the pastoralists:
- Women, pastoralist elders, small community based organisations (CBOs), NGOs, and members of parliament drawn from pastoralist areas.
MRG being an international NGO implements the project in cooperation with local Ethiopian partners such as the network Pastoralist Forum Ethiopia and others.
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