Villagization and access to water resources in the Middle Awash Valley of Ethiopia: Implications for climate change adaptation

Since the 1970s, the Government of Ethiopia has implemented villagization, whereby nomadic pastoralist groups are supported to develop (more) sedentary lifestyles and livelihoods. Villagization has been officially promoted to encourage diversification from livestock herding to agricultural cultivation, and to fulfil basic needs through infrastructure and services. From the late 2000s, villagization was reintroduced for arid and semi-arid regions as a strategy for adaptation to climate change, as part of the country's green growth agenda. The aim of this paper is to evaluate to what extent this phase of villagization has contributed to adaptation strategies among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, based on an empirical analysis of four villagised sites in the Middle Awash Valley using qualitative data collected between 2014 and 2018. Perceptions and experiences of villagization varied across individuals, households, villages, and districts. While villagization has generally delivered infrastructure and services, and offered income diversification to those able to access irrigated agriculture, its implementation has been partial and uneven, and it has reproduced previous problems of resource scarcity while creating new risks and vulnerabilities. We argue that villagization may play a role in some aspects of adaptation, if programmes address the drivers of livelihood change, and embed equity and rights

Climate variability and impact in ASSAR's east African region

This working paper reviews available information and literature on climate variability, risks and vulnerabilities across East Africa, and reflects on implications for climate adaptation planning and intervention. It assessed climate variability risks with emphasis on rainfall, drought and flooding events, as well as environmental and socioeconomic vulnerability. Working in seven countries in semi-arid regions, Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) seeks to understand the factors that have prevented climate change adaptation from being more widespread and successful, including governance factors that can facilitate a shift from ad hoc adaptation to planning for large-scale adaptation measures.International Development Research Centre (IDRC)UK’s Department for International Development (DFID

Comparative whole-genome sequence analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous lymphadenitis patients in Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), is a chronic infectious disease with both pulmonary and extrapulmonary forms. This study set out to investigate and compare the genomic diversity and transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates obtained from tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) and pulmonary TB (PTB) cases in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using two groups of samples collected between February 2021 and June 2022 (Group 1) and between June 2020 and June 2022 (Group 2) in Northwest Ethiopia. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from 200 heat-inactivated Mtb isolates. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed from 161 isolates having ≥1 ng DNA/μl using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 technology. Results: From the total 161 isolates sequenced, 146 Mtb isolates were successfully genotyped into three lineages (L) and 18 sub-lineages. The Euro-American (EA, L4) lineage was the prevailing (n = 100; 68.5%) followed by Central Asian (CAS, L3, n = 43; 25.3%) and then L7 (n = 3; 2.05%). The L4.2.2.ETH sub-lineage accounted for 19.9%, while Haarlem estimated at 13.7%. The phylogenetic tree revealed distinct Mtb clusters between PTB and TBLN isolates even though there was no difference at lineages and sub-lineages levels. The clustering rate (CR) and recent transmission index (RTI) for PTB were 30 and 15%, respectively. Similarly, the CR and RTI for TBLN were 31.1 and 18 %, respectively. Conclusion and recommendations: PTB and TBLN isolates showed no Mtb lineages and sub-lineages difference. However, at the threshold of five allelic distances, Mtb isolates obtained from PTB and TBLN form distinct complexes in the phylogenetic tree, which indicates the presence of Mtb genomic variation among the two clinical forms. The high rate of clustering and RTI among TBLN implied that TBLN was likely the result of recent transmission and/or reactivation from short latency. Hence, the high incidence rate of TBLN in the Amhara region could be the result of Mtb genomic diversity and rapid clinical progression from primary infection and/or short latency. To validate this conclusion, a similar community-based study with a large sample size and better sampling technique is highly desirable. Additionally, analysis of genomic variants other than phylogenetic informative regions could give insightful information. Combined analysis of the host and the pathogen genome (GXG) together with environmental (GxGxE) factors could give comprehensive co-evolutionary information.The sample collection was funded by the Institute of Biotechnology, Bahir Dar University through the EN mega project. The Mtb culture and identification-related lab supply were supported by Amhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar Ethiopia. The whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and publication fee was covered by the National Center of Microbiology, Institute of Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. International Federation for Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) gave financial support to DM through the IFCC Professional Scientific Exchange Programme (PSEP) for 3-month WGS laboratory work.S

Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the semi-arid regions of East Africa

This series is based on work funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) through the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA).This report summarises key findings from the regional diagnostic study (RDS) of the ASSAR East Africa team, and identifies major gaps in the existing literature on areas of vulnerability and adaptation in East Africa. The discussion provides the foundation for detailed case study work planned for the major phase of research, the Regional Research Programme (RRP), as well as an underpinning guide to develop a dialogue on adaptation options

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Sub-Lineage 4.2.2/SIT149 as Dominant Drug-Resistant Clade in Northwest Ethiopia 2020-2022: In-silico Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis

Introduction: Drug resistance (DR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is mainly associated with certain lineages and varies across regions and countries. The Beijing genotype is the leading resistant lineage in Asia and western countries. M. tuberculosis (Mtb) (sub) lineages responsible for most drug resistance in Ethiopia are not well described. Hence, this study aimed to identify the leading drug resistance sub-lineages and characterize first-line anti-tuberculosis drug resistance-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020-2022 among new and presumptive multidrug resistant-TB (MDR-TB) cases in Northwest Ethiopia. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 161 isolates using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 technology. The SNP mutations associated with drug resistance were identified using MtbSeq and TB profiler Bioinformatics softwares. Results: Of the 146 Mtb isolates that were successfully genotyped, 20 (13.7%) harbored one or more resistance-associated SNPs. L4.2.2.ETH was the leading drug-resistant sub-lineage, accounting for 10/20 (50%) of the resistant Mtb. MDR-TB isolates showed extensive mutations against first-line anti-TB drugs. Ser450Leu/(tcg/tTg) for Rifampicin (RIF), Ser315Thr/(agc/aCc) for Isoniazid (INH), Met306Ile/(atg/atA(C)) for Ethambutol (EMB), and Gly69Asp for Streptomycin (STR) were the leading resistance associated mutations which accounted for 56.5%, 89.5%, 47%, and 29.4%, respectively. The presence of both clustered and non-clustered drug resistance (DR) isolates indicated that the epidemics is driven by both new DR development and acquired resistance. Conclusion: The high prevalence of drug-resistant TB due to geographically restricted sub-lineages (L4.2.2.ETH) indicates the ongoing local micro epidemics. The Mtb drug resistance surveillance system must be improved. Further evolutionary analysis of L4.2.2.ETH strain is highly desirable to understand evolutionary forces that leads L4.2.2.ETH in to high level DR and transmissible sub-lineage.Sample collection was funded by the Institute of Biotechnology, Bahir Dar University, through the Endalkachew Nibret Mega Project. The Mtb culture and identification-related laboratory supply was supported by the Amhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Whole-genome sequencing was performed with the great support of National Center of Microbiology, Institute of Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. The International Federation for Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) provided financial support to Daniel Mekonnen through the IFCC Professional Exchange Program (PEP) for three months stay in Madrid Spain for conducting the WGS analysis.S

Changing ecosystem services are increasing people's vulnerability in semi-arid regions : an ASSAR cross-regional insight

Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) researchers collaborated to understand the complex changes and patterns in semi-arid vegetation and socio-ecological systems. Ecosystems were mapped using a cross-regional coarse scale study, relying on climate data to capture global and regional trends. Finest spatial scale mapping relied on LANDSAT to show changes in land use and land cover. Details of observed changes are provided for Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, West Africa, and India. Links to referenced studies are embedded in the report. Ecosystem services need to be sustainably managed through regulatory measures.UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID

Performance of Management Interventions to the Impacts of Prosopis juliflora in Arid and Semiarid Regions of the Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia

The objective of this paper is to provide up-to-date empirical information on the expansion of P. juliflora, its environmental and livelihood impacts, and the performance of past and current management strategies in the Middle Awash Valley (MAV), Ethiopia. This study was based on data collected using focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and field observation. The results show that P. juliflora has expanded rapidly and invaded valuable grazing and croplands, and settlement areas. The rapid expansion of P. juliflora in the study area is attributed to climate change (increased temperature and declined rainfall), its ecological competition, spreading of seeds by wild animals and pastoral (mobile livestock) livelihood system, and recent occurrences of flood and drought-induced pasture scarcity that has forced livestock to eat more P. juliflora seed pods. Also, delays in the use of land cleared for farming activity have created good opportunities for Prosopis expansion. The perception and views of people on the benefits of P. juliflora and management options vary according to livelihood systems and stakeholder types (e.g., environmental managers and pastoralists). The attempted management strategies to eradicate P. juliflora (cutting, burning, and bulldozering or converting into economic utilization by making charcoal, fodder, and furniture) failed to achieve the intended outcomes. These management interventions failed due to many reasons. Some of these were the rapid rate of P. juliflora expansion triggered by the recurrent drought, severe scarcity of pasture that forced livestock to eat P. juliflora’s seed pods and travel into new areas, inadequate technologies to aid utilization and eradication, inability to collect sufficient quantity of pods to produce fodder for livestock, and absence of sufficient and satisfactory markets for the end-product (fodder). The results generally imply the need for urgent policy and management interventions. This study also highlights important issues that should be considered in introducing and implementing management strategies in the future