May 2014: Summarizing the evidence of climate-induced conflict in the Horn of Africa, an IFPRI brief examines the interaction between climate shocks and conflict, and a range of policies and interventions to increase resilience.

The brief, titled ‘Enhancing Resilience to Climate-Induced Conflict in the Horn of Africa,’ describes an empirical relationship between climate warming and civil war, and notes that in some cases, conflict has been linked to a rise in price of livestock associated with drought. The brief describes the greater vulnerability of areas with more pastoralists, less irrigation and greater distance to local markets. It then examines policy options related to conflict prevention and mitigation, emergency assistance and safety nets, interventions that reduce exposure to climate shocks, and longer-term resilience development efforts.

The brief was developed for the 2020 Resilience Conference: Building Resilience for Food and Nutrition Security, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 15-17 May 2014. [Publication: Enhancing Resilience to Climate-Induced Conflict in the Horn of Africa] [2020 Resilience Conference Website]