ReliefWeb

Livelihood Zone Description

• Galkayo Addun Pastoral Livelihood is the second largest pastoral zone, covering Galgadud (Adado, Dusamareb and El Bur districts),
Mudug (Galkayo, Hobyo districts) and south eastern Nugaal (Eyl, Jariban districts).

• The livelihood zone is typically characterized by flat plains, with the topography gently sloping towards the coastal areas in the east. The soils are predominantly sandy with scattered diminutive rocky areas. Sandy soils allow for quick seepage of water that results in underground and surface runoff, which empties in to the ocean.

• Predominant vegetation types comprise of short and hardy bushes locally known as jillab and, qaroone; different species of grass and scattered acacia trees (locally known as dheerdheere and Jeerin).

• Rangeland conditions are under continuous degradation due to the persistent droughts, overgrazing and proliferation of berkads.

• Rainfall (100-200 mm) is erratic, and is influenced by location on the leeward side of the Kenyan/Ethiopian highlands proximity to the coast and descending motion of the air and low humidity. Two main rainfall seasons: (Gu: April-June), and (Deyr: October-December) are received.

• Addun is windy, hot and dry (240c - 280c) with high evapo-transpiration rates (1751-2250 mm/annum).

• Boreholes and berkads are the main water sources (springs widely used in south and central parts).

• Estimated livelihood population is 227,077 people.

• Basic social services and infrastructure (health facilities and roads) are limited and poorly developed.

• Environmental and eco-climatic conditions favour pastoral system of production, under rain-fed conditions, with the main livestock species raised, in order of reference, being goats, sheep and camel.

• Main socio-economic activity is pastoralism, with fishing labor opportunities confined to the coastal areas. Sale of livestock and livestock products is the main source of income.