With the power of CRHWs
In pastoral regions of East Africa, livelihoods depend on healthy rangelands. When land degrades, livestock productivity drops. When livestock suffer, families lose income and food security.
The HEAL project addresses this reality through a One Health approach. It links human, animal and environmental health and focuses on practical solutions at community level. The project is implemented by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse, Amref Health Africa and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.
One major gap has been clear for years. While systems for human and animal health exist, there has been no equivalent for rangeland management at community level. This has limited efforts to protect and restore these ecosystems.
To address this, twelve Community Rangeland Health Workers (CRHWs) were selected in Ethiopia, trained and integrated into existing One Health Units. They work alongside human and animal health workers and focus on monitoring rangelands, controlling invasive species and supporting rehabilitation. They also help communities develop income opportunities linked to sustainable land use.
A visit to Silala Kebele in Borana shows what this looks like in practice. Pastoralist Mr. Malicha Guyo observed increasing exploitation of wild aloe vera for commercial use. If this continues, the plant will disappear from the area.
Instead of harvesting wild plants, he started cultivating aloe vera himself. After training, he cleared land affected by invasive species and planted aloe vera near his beehives. The plants attract bees and improve honey production. At the same time, they provide a sustainable source of income.
This approach connects land management with livelihoods in a tangible way. It reduces pressure on natural resources while creating economic value locally.
The introduction of CRHWs strengthens the environmental component of the HEAL project. It builds local capacity where it has been missing and makes rangeland management part of everyday practice.
Healthy rangelands are not an abstract goal. They are the basis for stable livelihoods in pastoral areas.