Eleni Giokos, host of CNN’s ‘Connecting Africa’ programme recently interviewed Jameel Observatory Head Guyo Malicha Roba on the Observatory’s work helping vulnerable communities prepare for the consequences of climate change, drought and food shortages in some of the continent’s driest areas.
Asked about the aims of the Observatory, Roba frames the work of the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action around three key attributes of drylands in Eastern Africa:
First, the resilience of pastoral populations in the face of recurrent crises is not strong enough to bounce back as they used to.
Second, governments in the region don’t have enough resources nor the right data to act in time.
Third, the responses of government and other actors are piecemeal, fragmented – and reactive – and not embedded in long-term planning processes.
He explains the action research approach of the Observatory – brokering science, knowledge and connections – aiming for early enough actions so droughts don’t become emergencies.
Coming from a herding background, “positioning of research to respond to the real issues” is very important.
Asked about the role of technology in this work, he particularly emphasizes its importance on the forecasting side – using earth observation and big data, for example, to produce better risk profiles in different locations and communities. Data, on animal numbers for example, can indicate where risks are higher and where different actions like destocking may be needed.
Recognizing the important cross-border dimensions of these issues, he highlighted in particular issues around governance and mobility.
How do we embed governance and strengthen governance for mobility? Because mobility is one of the essential things that people do to escape drought episodes. But nobody is investing in mobility.
One promising line is looking at mobility corridors and how we can shape, using data and research, infrastructure that can enable people to be mobile in the face of shocks.
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