Saving lives through livelihoods: critical gaps in the response to the drought in the Greater Horn of Africa

This HPG Briefing Note reviews the extent of emergency livelihoods responses in the crisis in the Horn. Drawing on secondary data and interviews with national and international actors in affected areas, it asks why accurate and timely early warning did not lead to a rapid and
appropriate response to mitigate the drought’s effects, and highlights how inadequate contingency planning, limited capacity in livelihoods programming and inflexible funding
mechanisms resulted in delays and deficiencies in livelihoods interventions, and the predominance of food assistance in the emergency response.