Local Institutions, External Interventions, and Adaptations to Climate Variability in Ethiopia
The case of the Borana pastoralists in southern Ethiopia
The purpose of this study is to understand the role of local institutions in assisting the Borana pastoralists of southern Ethiopia in dealing with droughts. Because of social and economic marginalization, as well as sheer geography, Borana pastoralists are very vulnerable to the effects of climate variability. The study places these local practices in micro- and macroinstitutional frameworks, to explore how different interventions have enhanced or inhibited coping and adaptations; how local institutions interacted with external structures; and whether new institutions are emerging to foster adaptive capacity.