This paper reviews the extent of emergency livelihoods responses to the crisis in the Horn of Africa. Drawing on secondary data and interviews with national and international actors in affected areas, it asks why accurate and timely early warning did not lead to a rapid and appropriate response to mitigate the drought’s effects, and highlights how inadequate contingency planning, limited capacity in livelihoods programming and inflexible funding mechanisms resulted in delays and deficiencies in livelihoods interventions, and the predominance of food assistance in the emergency response. It argues that in order to effectively address the impact of drought, responses must be based on a more in-depth understanding of pastoral livelihoods systems.