Impact of Pastoral Productive Safety net Program on prevention of asset reduction at household level in Somali Region

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of Pastoral Productive Safety net Program on prevention of asset reduction at household level in Somali Region. The study aims at making an in-depth analysis on the impact of Productive Safety Net Program in preventing asset reduction at the household level mainly of key breeding livestock, which is one of the main strategic objective the program needs to address. The PSNP program is being implemented within a background where unpredictable seasonal variation, increasing population, and accompanying stress on the environment are constraining factors that are increasingly impacting on food insecurity. It is within this context that PSNP is aiming to provide transfers to chronic food insecure communities and prevent the depletion of household assets. The program is preventing destitution within communities as there is little doubt that the situation would be far worse in these program areas were the food transfers not taking place. Existing traditional coping systems such as zakat and irmaansa are under significant strain exacerbated by the recurrent drought-like conditions and PSNP is supporting and relieving this system so that not only those specifically targeted by the program but others within the community can also benefit. In this study sets of participatory techniques were implemented to assess the Impact of Pastoral Productive Safety net Program on prevention of asset reduction at household level in Somali Region. The result of the study has revealed that the program has little impact on participants in protecting household assets of Somalie pastoralists, due in part to overwhelming drought that wiped off their livestock. PSNP alone is therefore not able to protect assets at the household level but helping targeted communities as a life saving. The conclusion reached from this study is therefore, PSNP needs to be recognized as an important pillar and foundational ‘holding’ program in addressing the huge challenges facing pastoralist communities in southern Ethiopia. It is not a solution however, to these challenges given the experience to date and assuming a continuation of current broader trends and as such there is no clear end in sight for the program. For the higher objectives and aims of PSNP to be achieved within the pastoral context it Impact of Pastoral PSNP on prevention of asset reduction at household level in Somali Region May, 2012 Hanna Teshome Habtemichael Page 10 therefore requires a suite of additional activities and program components combined in a comprehensive approach that aims to address the factors that are constraining the success of asset protection.