Abstract:
Different studies explored that disaster risk reduction adaptation and coping mechanisms
practices of pastoral communities as a whole. However, there is lack of specific studies
focused on pastoral women’s role regarding climate change and disaster risk impact
reduction strategies. Therefore, this study investigates the role of women in disaster risk
reduction strategies for climate extreme events in pastoralist’s area of Shabeley woreda of
Fafan zone, Somali Regional State. The research was conducted using cross-sectional
research design by combining both quantitative and qualitative data types. In the
quantitative data collection, 120 respondents were participated in order to collect data such
as drought frequency, drought impact, disaster risk reduction strategies and coping
mechanisms as well as the hindering challenges. The data were collected using individual
household interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The collected
quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Standardized precipitation
index (SPI) while qualitative data were analyzed using textual summary. The result from SPI
revealed that frequency and severity of drought events has been increasingly for the last 42
years in Shebelley district. The study has also identified that drought severity has increased
in Shebelley area for the last four decades. These recurrent droughts have negatively
impacted on pastoral livelihoods. In order to adapt to or cope with frequently occurring
droughts, Shebelley pastoralist women are using a variety of indigenous and institutional
strategies. Among these, they use mobility to track forage and water sources, herd
diversification, regular selling of livestock, tackling of livestock diseases by using
traditional methods, and diversification of livelihood sources. There are also a number of
pre, during and post disaster risk reduction strategies practiced by the study area women
to adjust their livelihood under the environmental circumstance they live. Pre-disaster risk
reduction strategies includes buying and storing food grains, feed collection, and changing
breeding time while during and post drought strategies includes the slaughtering of weak
animals during drought periods, livestock selling, re-stocking, social supporting systems,
herd splitting, family splitting, and charcoal and firewood selling. To foster the disaster risk
management strategy of pastoralist women, it is highly recommended that pastoral
development policy and strategy should be developed by harmonizing activities between
government and development partners which are visible and comprehensive to bring fast
progress in drought risk management strategies. Policymakers should also informed and
make wise decisions and give guiding directions regarding further research on pastoralist
areas.
