Spontaneous resettlement after drought: An Ethiopian example*

Area of Science:

• Social Anthropology
• Development Studies
• Environmental Studies

Background:

• The Mursi community in southwestern Ethiopia faced severe drought and hunger since 1970.
• This led to spontaneous migration to new territories outside their traditional lands.
• The community showed remarkable resilience and innovation in adapting to these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the principle that external aid must meet the self-defined needs of recipients to be effective.
• To examine the adaptation strategies of the Mursi during a drought-induced migration.
• To analyze the cultural conflicts arising from the Mursi's adaptation to a new way of life.

Main Methods:

• Fieldwork conducted over two periods with the resettled Mursi population.
• Qualitative analysis of the Mursi's responses to drought and migration.
• Case study approach focusing on the Mursi's adaptation and cultural shifts.

Main Results:

• The Mursi exhibited significant resilience and inventiveness in managing drought and hunger.
• Drought-induced migration led to adaptation challenges and cultural conflicts.
• The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive aid interventions.

Conclusions:

• External aid can be counter-productive if not aligned with the perceived needs of the affected population.
• The Mursi's experience underscores the need for aid that respects and integrates with local traditions and self-defined priorities.
• Understanding community-defined needs is crucial for successful humanitarian and development interventions.