The Resilience Research project is funded by the Swedish Mission Council (SMC) and is focused on the development of understanding attitudes and practices regarding resilience; strengthening communities, organizations and individuals so they have the ability to prevent and adapt to climate change, environmental degradation, conflicts or other factors that expose communities, organizations and individuals to stress, shock or uncertainty. Thus, a resilient community is one that has the ability to anticipate, withstand, absorb, adapt and recover from shocks and stresses using internal and external resources and strengths. The Resilience Research project is realized by using Tharaka North, Kenya and Borena, Ethiopia as case studies.

Case Study of Community Resilience in Tharaka Nithi

Tharaka Nithi is an area in Kenya that has been impacted negatively by climate change due to its fragile ecosystems. This has increased the intensity and frequency of natural disasters and so individuals, households and community entities need to enhance resilient capacities in dealing effectively with climate change.

Tharaka is an area with high incidence of poverty and low development. Household incomes are low and irregular. Rain-fed crop farming is the principal livelihood activity and households engage in livestock keeping, bee keeping and trade in cereals.

The objective of the study in Tharaka Nithi was understanding what makes people and systems resilient and identifying resilience dimensions and indicators for assessing community system resilience. In addition, the objective was to identify entry points and prioritize interventions to strengthen capacities and reduce vulnerabilities. Lastly, to establish locally relevant resilience strategies.

Common shocks, stresses and disasters in the Tharaka Nithi area are climate-related, socio-cultural, economic and governmental/institutional. Climate extreme events such as rain failure, excessive rain and increased aridity are common. However, famine (associated with severe droughts) is the most common disaster in Tharaka. Age, gender, health, economic status, livelihood activities performed and ecological conditions largely contributed to the level of vulnerability of the different individuals and groups within the study area.

There are several common coping strategies against climatic shocks and stresses such as seeking food donations, migration or segregation of livestock, creation of support networks, income generating activities and getting external support from the government and NSAs. Common adaptive practices to be more resilient include livelihood diversification, food preservation and adoption of new agricultural methods, practices and technology. Additionally, cooperation and support interventions are of importance.

Unfortunately, community resilient capacity is still low in Tharaka. However, actors such as CSOs/NGOs, faith-based organisations and governmental actors have the capacity to make a change. For instance, IAS-K has contributed to a positive turn in the last ten years with several initiatives such as rain water harvesting using water pans, gravity driven water systems and supply of solar heated water containers.

Several lessons can be learnt from the case study of Tharaka Nithi. The way forward is for instance strengthening institutional knowledge and capacity for resilience as well as developing strategies and especially the mind set of communities. This in order to integrate resilience thinking and practice in future humanitarian and development actions. In addition, building effective working relationships with strategic partners and prioritising funding for resilience interventions and resilience mainstream activities within existing programmes is of importance.