Preparing for Drought Before It Arrives

Early Action in Harshin, Ethiopia, June 2026

In Ethiopia’s Somali region, communities are already preparing for a drought that has not yet arrived.

Seasonal forecasts for the 2026 Karan rain season (July-September) point to a worrying trend: rainfall is expected to be near or below normal levels, putting water availability, crops and livestock at risk. For pastoralist families, whose livelihoods depend on fragile natural resources, even a shortfall in rain can quickly escalate into a crisis.

Rather than waiting for that moment, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society has triggered its Drought Early Action Plan in Harshin, so people receive the right information early enough to take action and reduce drought impacts.

This activation is part of the Water at the Heart of Climate Action initiative, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

See the below report for the full story.