At the beginning of the main crop season (Meher), most areas of the country area drier than usual due the extreme drought experienced during the MAM season. July rainfall, which is crucial for the Meher crop season has been below average so far in the central area of the country (Shewas zones, Rift Valley and to a lower extent in East Gojam. Some areas in the region have experienced below average rainfall for the 5th consecutive season. Due to drought in the first half of the year, crop and rangeland conditions are significantly below average in all areas of the country with the exception of the western highlands. Belg crop production has failed in majority of Belg planting areas due to extremely dry conditions from March to May, which have also caused very poor pasture conditions (with few-to-no migration options) in central, eastern, and southern Ethiopia.According to the Copernicus multi-model forecasts, seasonal rainfall for JAS point towards a wetter-than-average main crop season, but the late start and initial dryness already represent a high risk of failure. Even if there will be a “wetter than average” rainfall is expected, rainfall distribution in time and space can be a major concern. In addition, there are first signs of la Nina continuing in the second half of the year with possible failure of Oct-Dec. rainfall, which will further increase pressure on pastoral areas. Several consecutive seasons of dry conditions in pastoral areas led to further deterioration of animal body conditions, deaths of livestock and a sharp decline in milk production. The pastoralist communities in southern Ethiopia experienced decline in livestock hard sizes and compromise livelihoods resilience and poor livestock body condition of all livestock, milk production and consumption, livestock terms of trade, and limited household access to food and income. According to OCHA (July 2022) updates more than 30 million people in Ethiopia need humanitarian assistance, of which about 18 million are forecasted to be in crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3+) in July-September 2022 (IGAD, July 2022). In conflict affected areas of Tigray, parts of Amhara, Afar, Oromia and Benishangul regions, although most farmers could have completed land preparation since in June, access to improved seeds and fertilizer are a major challenge due to conflict in the region. However, the first consignment of 262 metric tons of fertilizer arrived in Tigray in July (OCHA, July 2022).