Vulnerability management practices for sustainable livelihood security in drought-prone Gamo lowlands: An empirical insight from southwest Ethiopia

Vulnerable people do not always absorb the occurring shocks instead they react to disasters employing multiple strategies. This study mainly aims to explore households' vulnerability management practices and their linkages with sustainable livelihood security in the drought-prone Gamo lowland setup. Through the multistage sampling technique, a total of 285 respondents were selected from the four sample kebeles. Primary data were collected using a survey questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Secondary data were drawn from published and unpublished materials. A mix of the qualitative dominant mixed methods of data analysis was employed. The newly formulated Vulnerability Management for Survival (VMS) framework is used to schematize people's survival strategies and challenges. It was found that the Gamo lowland households pursue multiple vulnerability management practices like liquidation, adopting drought-resistant crops, livelihood diversification, destocking, engagements in off-farm activities, remittance, and reciprocity. These practices are linked with households' livelihood security wherein effective management of vulnerabilities yields secured and sustained livelihoods among the implications. To sustainably enhance rural invulnerability, strengthening people's survival strategies like reciprocity, participation in financial institutions, water harvesting, area closure, afforestation and reforestation, and access to information are recommended.