RESILIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS [USTAHIMILIVU] PROGRAM IN WEST POKOT

West Pokot County has two predominant livelihood zones characterized by Agricultural and Livestock practices. High poverty headcount ratio, low literacy and formal employment opportunities are common. 

Social networks are strong, especially within families and clans. Despite its potential for economic development, adverse climatic conditions, inappropriate rangeland utilization systems, limited infrastructure, and sporadic conflicts constrain efforts for local growth. Consequently, locals constantly face threats from frequent and severe climate-induced recurrent disasters (droughts, floods, etc) and environmental degradation, with overstretching of traditional coping systems and household recovery capacity.

In response, the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) commissioned the Resilience for Sustainable Livelihoods, Ustahimilivu Program as an effort to improve the resilience of communities in ASAL areas of Kenya to drought and other effects of climate change. Specifically, the program will; Enhance food and nutrition security of vulnerable households, especially for women and children in West Pokot County, and generate sustainable livelihoods and protect productive assets in West Pokot County.