Ethiopia is prone to a series of disasters, the intensity, multiplicity, coverage and frequency of which have been increasing with time largely due to climate-induced factors. While the country is making decent progress in economic development (economic growth registering an average annual growth of 11 percent for the last seven years), and aims to accelerate it through the Growth and Transformation Plan, there is also a realization of the impact of disasters in rolling back the social and economic gains. Triggered by the Hyogo Framework of Action globally and the Business Process Reengineering in Ethiopia the focus in disaster management made a paradigm shift from a reactive crises management approach to a more proactive risk management one. The foundation to this paradigmatic shift was laid by the launch of the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) as part of the National Food Security Programme in 2004. PSNP is directed to address chronic food insecurity in drought prone weredas of the country and is currently assisting 7.8 million people in 319 weredas in 8 regions of the country.

PSNP is strengthened by the Risk Financing Mechanism which is directed to address the transitory needs in PSNP weredas. The Risk Financing Mechanism rests on four pillars: Early Warning System, Contingency Plan, Contingent Financing and Institutions and Capacity Development. 

What is LEAP?  

LEAP (Livelihood, Early Assessment and Protection) is the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) owned food security early warning tool embedded in the national risk management framework and linked to the US$ 160 million contingent fund. LEAP converts satellite and ground based agro-meteorological data into crop or rangeland production estimates and ultimately into livelihood protection requirements. It also quantifies the financial resources needed to scale up PSNP in case of a major drought.

Streamlined Capacity Development

• LEAP is a classic example of how climate risk management framework can be well-integrated with risk transfer mechanisms. It is also an excellent case of streamlined capacity development of multiple actors:
• LEAP implementation and management is fully integrated into the GOE risk management structure.
• LEAP rests on a sustained inter-ministerial collaboration; partnership MOUs with different government offices have been signed.
• Training mechanisms for LEAP have been established, streamlined and cascaded for GoE partners at various levels.
• LEAP food security early warning information is being continually used in GOE decision making process.
• LEAP also contributes to the improvement of national meteorological infrastructure through provision of automated weather stations and other equipment.
• LEAP has contributed to increased timeliness, transparency and cost effectiveness of food security and livelihood assistance interventions.
• Partnerships have also been established between the GOE and national and international universities and research institutes.
• LEAP gets technical back-up from diverse team of experts from UN, donors and universities.
• To improve the software further, a Flood Index and Pastoral Index are also under development.
• LEAP has very high potential for replication in other countries vulnerable to droughts and flood.