The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region has been severely impacted by climatic shocks, including floods, droughts, and famines, resulting in lost livelihoods and increased vulnerability to hunger and starvation.
FAO-WFP early warning report, November 2025 to May 2026 outlook, identifies three IGAD member states among the 16 global hunger hotspots. These include Sudan and South Sudan, which are facing famine or are at risk of it, with many people already experiencing catastrophic conditions or on the brink of such conditions.
During the launch of journalists and influencers training for the Food Security Resilience Programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr Senait Regassa, the project coordinator of the IGAD Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), mentioned that the regional organisation is equipping journalists and influencers to help guide communities and decision-makers towards building resilience.
"This training prepares voices that can guide communities and decision makers toward resilience," Regassa expressed in her opening remarks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Austin Opata, the IGAD Head of Communications, explained that these storytellers will help spread policy information to communities affected by natural disasters.
"We are building a network of storytellers who can move messages from policy tables to households and communities," stated Austin Opata, IGAD Head of Communications.
Founded in 1986, IGAD aims to address the impacts of recurrent droughts, famines, and environmental degradation while promoting sustainable management of natural resources in the Horn of Africa.
The IGAD Climate Adaptation Strategy (2025-2030) outlines 11 key focus areas, which include enhancing risk assessment, innovative financing, integrated planning, better climate information services, improved coordination among member states, implementing nature-based solutions, scaling up climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening adaptation capabilities, encouraging research and data sharing, enhancing legal frameworks for climate change adaptation and governance, as well as increasing monitoring and evaluation efforts.
Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the IGAD Executive Secretary, acknowledged the various challenges hindering climate action in the region, stressing that climate adaptation is essential.
"However, due to our current and future vulnerabilities, climate adaptation is not an option but a necessity for our region," remarked the Executive Secretary.
The implementation plan clarifies how the 11 priority areas can be actualised, specifying responsibilities and timelines for their execution.
