The Nyangatom people are traditionally agro pastoralists, relying on livestock herding and small-scale sorghum farming. Many still adhere to their traditional nomadic lifestyle, moving with their animals in search of pasture and water. Nyangatom continues to face severe challenges due to climate change, armed conflicts, and extreme poverty, and these increasing pressures, often leave the most vulnerable members of the community without adequate support.
Like many other nomadic pastoralist communities, the Nyangatom struggle to access basic resources such as food, water, and healthcare. Vulnerable groups, particularly lactating mothers and their babies, widows, the elderly, and the sick, are most affected by these hardships. In addition, the region is undergoing significant social and environmental changes due to refugee influxes from South Sudan and large-scale development projects such as the Omo River canalisation and the construction of a sugar factory. These changes are creating new difficulties for the local population in general and the more vulnerable groups in particular.
To address these challenges, it is proposed to provide direct support to 20 of the most vulnerable individuals in the community. Through this project, we aim to improve their well-being by providing essential aid such as cash inputs, baby milk, food, and clothing. In return, beneficiaries will participate in simple, low-exertion activities that contribute to environmental conservation, including collecting plastic waste and rubbish to improve hygiene in the community and gathering Prosopis juliflora pods to prevent the spread of this invasive species, which will then be processed into porridge for human consumption. This initiative will not only provide critical assistance to those in need but will also empower them to contribute meaningfully to their community.
Besides the 20 people most directly affected, the broader Nyangatom community will benefit from improved environmental cleanliness and better food security, with this project focused on providing targeted assistance to these at-risk individuals while ensuring they can still participate in small, meaningful activities that contribute to their community’s well-being.
