10 February 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Typical impact as water ponds have dried of the current El Nino induced drought in the Elidaar District of Afar Region in Ethiopia. FAO? water and income diversification projects have become instrumental to tackle the negative impacts of El Niño induced drought for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Afar Region of north eastern Ethiopia. Both date-palm and animal feed producers are organized in cooperatives established with the support of FAO. Cooperative members have benefits from these projects. They are especially very vital during this time when livestock feed is needed for feeding drought affected animals. Members get salary and dividends from the cooperative income from the sale of animal feed and date palm products.