For decades the Sahel has been presented as suffering from irreversible degradation, leading to desert advancement and the impoverishment of the population. This issue paper develops an alternative profile and identifies the considerable potential of the Sahel’s dryland ecosystems. It explores the inherent resilience within existing crop and livestock production systems based on exploiting climatic variability; systems which local people in the Sahel have used to establish successful local and national economies. This new profile can help re-define development interventions and promote a more climate resilient future.
Link to the issue paper on IIED's website, free PDF for download
From Camel to Cup' explores the importance of camels and camel milk in drought ridden regions, and the under-reported medicinal and vital health benefits of camel milk
Less than 5 percent of disaster losses are covered by insurance in poorer countries, versus 50 percent in rich nations
Age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and many more factors must be considered if people are to become resilient to climate extremes
A concern is around the long-term viability of hard-fought development gains
In Kenya's Wajir county, the emphasis on water development is happening at the expense of good water governance