Climate change is placing unprecedented pressure on forest-dependent communities in Ethiopia. Erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts are reducing water resources, limiting access to wild foods and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and increasing the risk of forest fires. These disruptions weaken livelihoods and deepen food insecurity.

Women and children are often hardest hit, walking longer distances to collect water and fuelwood. Meanwhile, unreliable rainfall makes traditional farming more difficult, pushing some farmers to expand into forest areas — further degrading fragile ecosystems.

To respond, SWDA and EOC-DICAC have launched the project “Supporting Forest-Dependent Communities to Maintain and Protect Their Ecosystem and Adapt to Climate Change” in selected woredas of Buno Bedele and Jimma Zones.

Through agroforestry and small-scale irrigation, communities are:

• Strengthening resilience against climate shocks
• Improving food security and nutrition
• Increasing household income
• Promoting sustainable forest conservation

Recent demonstrations show how small-scale irrigation bridges seasonal food gaps, boosts household income, and expands access to nutrient-rich foods. These climate-smart practices are not only protecting forests but also empowering communities to thrive in the face of climate change.

By supporting sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem conservation, this initiative is helping forest-dependent communities adapt while safeguarding the forests they rely on. 🌳✨