Horn of Africa's largest pastoralist gathering takes place in Hudet, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, 20 November 2007 - Elders in Hudet, Liben zone, Somali Regional State are preparing to host over 550 participants.

“This will be the biggest ever pastoralist gathering in the Horn of Africa,” said Allistair Scott-Villiers, team leader for the gathering. ”It represents a remarkable and unique opportunity for pastoralists’ leaders to discuss critical issues that affect the lives of millions.”

The gathering to be held between 28 November and 2 December will bring together pastoralist representatives from each of Somali Region’s 52 woredas, neighbouring Afar and Oromiya Regions as well as representatives from northern Kenya, Djibouti and Somaliland and the international community to discuss sustainable futures to the current situation as well as for the wider sub-region.

The gathering organized by UN OCHA Pastoralist Communication Initiative follows a high-level discussion on the humanitarian, development and livelihoods situation of the region in Addis Ababa on 1 November, which brought together UN Agencies, Donors, Regional Government and Community Leaders in order to gain a deeper understanding of the region as a whole. Since 2003, UNOCHA PCI has supported Somali Region’s pastoralists’ ongoing dialogue with the private sector, government and civil society.

It will also coincide with the visit to the region of Sir John Holmes, the Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, who will visit Jijiga and Kebridehar to give his support for increased humanitarian response.

For further information please contact:

Meron Yhannes

email: Yohannesm@un.org

tel.251 115 (0)444 196

Mobile : 0911 224700

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Ethiopia / Pastoralist Communication Initiative