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KOTIDO

Drought Bulletin

JANUARY 2012

Drought Bulletin

Table of Contents Page

District Map 1

Drought Bulletin summary 2

Vegetation Condition/ Rainfall/ Temperature 3

Humidity / Weather forecast 4

Livestock Body Condition / Migration / mortality / abortion 5

Livestock Diseases / animals in the market/ grazing areas 6

Crops planted/ Crop Condition / Crop Yield 7

Household water / water sources / time spent / safe water 8

Malnutrition / type of food / migration of people 9

Price of Firewood , Charcoal and Labor/ Terms of Trade 10

Freedom of Movement / Coping Mechanisms 11

Seasonal Calendars 12

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January was generally dry. Continuous increase in yellowing and shedding of leaves among Desert dates and

Neem was observed, with no appearance of mushrooms and mosses, which is normal. The prediction from the

Meteorological Department mentioned that there are high chances that the whole of Karamoja region is

expected to have dry and sunny conditions during the month of February 2012, with more frequent dry winds

that are likely to expose the communities to wild fires and burn of houses.

The livestock body condition, access to grazing areas and calves mortality/abortion rates could not be

ascertained. But according to the Animal Husbandry Officer, the livestock body condition remained constant

because there were no reports of major diseases, and livestock were able to migrate to places where water and

pasture was available; the calves’ mortality/abortion rates were below 10% due to the treatment done by

community against Brucellosis and Tick borne diseases. About 18,000 livestock moved from Kotido Sub County

towards Abim, about 20,000 livestock moved from Kacheri to Loongor dam, and Arukan,s Kraal moved from

Nakwakipi to Kobebe dam in Moroto, all in search of pasture and water. Livestock numbers in the markets

decreased due reduced numbers of old animals to be disposed due to old age and sickness. Livestock disease

incidences comprised of Brucellosis, East Cost Fever, Anaplasmosis, CCPP, and Worms.

Borehole usage as the main water source increased from 70% to 76% due the reduction in the alternative

sources. The time spent to fetch water from boreholes increased due to reduced borehole recharge level and

alternative water sources.. The water quantity at households decreased from 13L to 11L per person per day due

to increased queuing at the boreholes and lack of water from other sources. This quantity is below the standard

requirement of 15L/person/day.

There was no crop planting in January. Charcoal prices could not be ascertained but according to the District

NAADS Coordinator, a basin was at 5,000 UGX because of the constant demand within and out of the District.

Firewood prices increased from 2,000 UGX to 3,000 UGX per average bundle due to local brewing demand. The

Terms of Trade for Bull/Sorghum and and Labor/Sorghum decreased due to decreased Sorghum prices, while

Charcoal/Sorghum could not be ascertained. Households consumed mainly Sorghum Sorghum, Millet and

Potatoes accompanied by Beans, Wild fruits/leaves/game, Cowpeas, Groundnuts, and Meat, and this was

attributed to the recent harvests of various foods which provided a balanced diet. As a result of reduced food

stocks at some household which did not harvest, coping mechanisms like begging for food, borrow food on

credit from another household, consume less expensive cereals, rely on gifts of food, and gone an entire day

without meals were reported with observed reduction in all.

The security situation was improved in January with only 2% of households moving freely during day and 12%

at night because a few raids in Rengen, Kacheri and Nakapelimoru by the Dodoth.

RECOMMENDATIONS

AGRICULTURE SECTOR

Farmers are urged to occasionally dry food grains in order to avoid weevil infestation.

This Drought Bulletin is a representation of 5 parishes in Kotido District, namely: Kacheri and Lokiding in Kacheri

Sub County; Lookorok and Potongor in Nakapelimoru Sub County; and Naponga in Rengen Sub County.

Drought Bulletin summary for the Month of JANUARY 2012

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Vegetation Condition

Observation %HH

Desert dates (Ekoteete) becoming yellow 44

Neem Tree becoming yellow 49

Desert dates (Ekoteete) shedding leaves 93

Neem Tree shedding leaves 53

Mosses and mushrooms are appearing 0

Rainfall (mm)

Temperature °C

No available information on Temperature for the month of January.

The rainfall information was not available this month.

There was continuous increase in yellowing and shedding of leaves among Desert dates and Neem which was caused by increasing temperatures. No appearance of mushrooms and mosses reported, which is normal.

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Humidity

Weather forecast

No available information on Humidity for the month of January.

It should be noted that there are high chances that the whole of Karamoja region is expected to have dry and sunny conditions during the month of February 2012, with more frequent dry winds that are likely to expose the communities to wild fires and burn of houses. It is also important to note that:-

Out break of diseases associated with dry conditions are likely to occur to both humans and animals.

The sunny and dry weather conditions are likely to lead to reduced foliage and pastures for livestock and also reduce availability of water resources

Likelihood of high day time temperatures (30 - 38°C), especially in Kaabong district, may give rise to heat waves which is a potential health risk. It should also be noted that cases of Meningitis diseases may also occur in such places

Problems associated with dust or dust storms may occur in some isolated areas, as result of dry conditions.

The factors responsible for the expected weather/climate patterns over Karamoja region during February 2012: Position of the Overhead sun which is currently in the Southern hemisphere. This gives more to

Southern hemisphere. As a result of this heating, surface air expands, becomes lighter, and rises creating a low pressure region over this sector. The rising air in this region is replaced by converging winds emanating from all high pressure zones. Such areas of convergence are the ones expected to receive enhanced rainfall. These areas include parts of southern Tanzania and several countries in Southern Africa.

It should be noted that at this time of the year, Uganda receives winds that originate from Arabian Desert. These winds (North–East) blowing over Uganda have continental track through Ethiopia, Somali and Sudan. Therefore by the time they reach Uganda, they have already lost moisture on their track hence becoming hot and dry and affect the country with hazy conditions.

Another important factor is La Niña conditions which have been prevailing across the tropical Pacific Basin since October 2011, which are now close to its peak, with a gradual decline expected over the first quarter of 2012. La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, once it occurs; several parts in Uganda especially Karamoja are normally associated with dry conditions.

Source: Department of Meteorology

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Livestock Body Condition

Livestock Migration

Calves mortality / abortion (%)

About 18,000 animals moved from Kotido Sub County towards Abim, about 20,000 livestock moved from Kacheri to Loongor dam, and Arukan,s Kraal moved from Nakwakipi to Kobebe dam in Moroto in search of pasture and water.

The livestock body condition could not be ascertained for January 2012 but according to the Animal Husbandry Officer, it remained constant because there were no reports of major diseases, and livestock migrated to places of water and pasture.

The calves’ mortality and abortion rates could not be ascertained for January 2012 but according to the Animal Husbandry Officer, this was below 10% because of sensitization and mobilization of farmers, and treatment was done by Community Animal Health Workers against Brucellosis and Tick borne diseases.

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Livestock Disease Incidence

Disease Type of animals affected Location No. of animals affected

Brucellosis Shoats, Cattle All Sub Counties 75 Worms Cattle, Sheep, Goats All Kraals 275 ECF Cattle All Sub Counties Kraals 2000 Anaplasmosis Cattle All Kraals 3,500 Foot rot Shoats, Cattle All Kraals 50,000 CCPP Goats, Sheep All Sub Counties No figures Rabies Dogs, Cats, Humans, Cattle All Sub Counties and

Kraals 20 dogs

New castle Chicken All Sub Counties Numbers reduced

Type and number of animals in the market

Type of animal Number Type of animal Number

Bulls 19 Bull calves 22

Cows 13 Heifer 11

Accessibility to grazing areas (Time in Hrs)

Brucellosis cases increased because no treatment was done. Incidences of CCPP reduced due to the vaccination done, ECF and Anaplasmosis also reduced as a result of reduced Tick burden in dry season. Communities are advised to ensure proper handling, boiling of milk and meat, and disposal of aborted

foetus to reduce incidences of Brucellosis.

Timely reporting of rabies cases to nearby authorities (Veterinary, Police and Health) for immediate

action. Farmers are urged to continue spraying and treating their livestock to avoid tick borne diseases.

The number of livestock brought to the market decreased due to the fact that the number of old animals to be disposed due to old age and sickness were becoming fewer. This was also coupled by the fact that households still had enough food stocks at home, so there was no need for animal sales.

The time taken by livestock to access grazing land could not be ascertained but according to the Animal Husbandry Officer, it increased because livestock moved in search of pasture and water from previous location.

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Type of crops planted

Crop Condition

Crop Yield

No crop assessment was conducted in January because this was already completed in November 2011. Farmers are urged to occasionally dry their grains in order to avoid weevil infestation.

No crops were planted in January.

January is not a planting month.

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Quantity of water fetched daily per household (Litres)

Average amount of water fetched daily per household December 2011 January 2012

90.7 77.02

Type of water sources and time spent to fetch water (hrs)

No information on access to safe water point was collected in January.

Safe water points

Borehole usage as the main water source increased from 70% to 76% due the reduction in the alternative sources. This is likely to increase in February given the fact that alternative sources are likely to dry up.

The water quantity decreased due to increased queuing at the boreholes and lack of water from other sources. This implies that each household member had 11L per day, which is below the minimum threshold of 15L/person/day.

The time spent to fetch water from boreholes decreased from 1.9 to 1.8 hours. But according to the District Water Officer, this should have increased due to reduced borehole recharge level which results in long queues and that the alternative water sources also reduced. This is likely to increase in February due to the anticipated dry spell.

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Type of Food Eaten

Incidence of Malnutrition

Out migration of people

Total number of households who migrated December 2011 January 2012

28 8

No information on the GAM and SAM rates for January.

The most consumed food types included Sorghum, Millet and Potatoes accompanied by Beans, Wild fruits/leaves/game, Cowpeas, Groundnuts, and Meat. With the recent harvests, this implies that households have adequate and variety of food types to consume.

There was relocation of people to new settlements within the District like Kangorok in Panyangara and Lobanya in Kacheri in search of new and enough land for next season’s cultivation.

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Terms of Trade (ratio)

Price of Firewood and Charcoal (UGX)

Price of Labor (UGX)

The price of Charcoal per basin could not be ascertained but according to the District NAADS Coordinator, a basin was at 5,000 UGX because there was constant demand within and outside the District. Firewood prices increased from 2,000 UGX to 3,000 UGX per average bundle due to the demand for local brewing attributed to availability of Sorghum got from last year’s harvests.

The price of casual labor increased from 1,015 UGX to 1,117 UGX because the labor supply was relocated to firewood and thatch harvesting, leaving fewer people in the business.

The Terms of Trade for Bull/Sorghum decreased due to increased Sorghum prices. Sorghum prices increased from 58,334 UGX to 80,000 UGX per 100kg bag because farmers were advised to hoard Sorghum during the Political Campaign on Food Security. The price for an average bull decreased from 725,000 UGX to 985,000 UGX because Pastoralists have fewer sick and aging animals, and that there was livestock movement away from the markets in search of pasture and water. For the same reason, Labor/Sorghum decreased. This implies that labor dependant households had inadequate money to purchase food for their families.

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Freedom of Movement

Coping Mechanisms

The security situation improved with only 2% of

households not moving freely

during day and 12% moving

freely at night. Overall, January

was fair compared to

December because all raided

livestock were recovered.

As a result of reduced food stocks at some household which did not harvest, coping mechanisms like

begging for food, borrow food on credit from another household, consume less expensive cereals, rely on

gifts of food, and gone an entire day without meals were reported with observed reduction in all. Pastoralists also employed looping of trees, slaughter of old animals, de-stocking of animals, and moving animals to far grazing areas, which is a normal practice during dry season.

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Seasonal Calendar