In the drylands of East Africa, pastoralist communities face the brunt of environmental shocks and stresses, threatening their food security and livelihoods. These communities are resilient and adaptable, having dealt with drought and other calamities for hundreds of years. Today, though, even their adaptability is stretched to breaking points.

The vision of the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action is that vulnerable pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in target regions of East Africa are more prepared for and resilient to the effects of evolving environmental shocks and stresses on their food security and nutrition.

With a mission to broker science, knowledge and real-world action to develop inclusive solutions to the environmental food security and malnutrition shocks facing dryland communities of East Africa, the Observatory’s five founding partners –  the University of Edinburgh, the International Livestock Research Institute, Save the Children UK, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, and Community Jameel – convene dialogue, generate evidence, catalyse collaboration, develop capacities and communicate for change.

This video introduces the work of the Jameel Observatory for Food Security Early Action and partners.