wajir sr 2006 assessment report -...

WAJIR DISTRICT

SHORT RAINS ASSESSMENT 2006

13 - 16 JANUARY 2006

Assessment Team:

Mary Mwale MoA

Sammy Maritim MoW&I

James Kamunge WFP

Nancy Mutunga FEWS Net

Anita Shah UNDP

Wajir District, 2006 Short Rains Assessment

Disclaimer: The recommendations of the National Assessment Teams are tentative and subject to the

approval of the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG).

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1. INTRODUCTION

Wajir covers a total area of 56,501 km squared, consisting of 13 Divisions, 74 Locations and

88 Sub-locations, and a population of 407,000. The District is divided into five livelihood

zones, pastoral camel, pastoral cattle, pastoral all species, agro-pstoral and small business

zones.

1.1 History of the Relief Operation in the District

The World Food Program (WFP) and Government of Kenya emergency operation began in

Wajir District in October 2004. Target beneficiaries amounted to 78,976 out of a total

population of 358,924 (excluding Wajir Central). During the months of November and

December 2004, the figure was increased to 214,107. This figure of 214,107 was revised

downwards between March and June 2005 to a target population of 120,485. The emergency

operation was halted between July and September 2005 and resumed in October 2005,

targeting 74,844 people, this figure was revised upwards again in November 2005, to

130,501. Oxfam is the lead agency in the District and the ration rate is 75%. Distribution of

relief food is currently ongoing at an average of 34% of the total population. The distribution

of Government relief food also began in October 2005 and is on-going.

1.2 Food Security Trends

1.2.1 Rainfall Pattern

2004: Long Rains

Divisions

Average

Actual LR 2006

Sebule 119 80

Central Wajir 118 111

Eldas 130 98

Gurar 206 165

Diff 123 117

Kotulo Wagir 142 116

Buna 185 133

Bute 251 198

Habasweni 125 106

Griftu 131 121

The historical average for the 2004 long rains for the District is 139 mm, the average actual

rainfall for the District was 113 mm. The 2004 long rains were therefore just below normal.

This resulted in a deterioration of key food security indicators and by November 2004,

214,107 people were receiving food aid.




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2004: Short Rains

Divisions

Average

Actual SR 2005/06

Sebule 96 213


Eldas 134 126

Gurar 156 109

Diff 97 236

Kotulo Wagir 131 226

Buna 151 151

Bute 172 125

Habasweni 102 156

Griftu 114 117

The historical average for the 2004 short rains for the District is 113 mm, the average actual

rainfall for the District was 149 mm. The 2004 long rains were therefore just above normal.

This resulted in an improvement in food security indicators resulting in

a downward revision of target beneficiaries from 214,107 to 120,485.

2005: Long Rains

Divisions

Average

Actual

Sebule 119 105


Eldas 130 141

Gurar 206 67

Diff 123 79

Kotulo Wagir 142 79

Buna 185 117

Bute 251 65

Habasweni 125 87

Griftu 131 170

The historical average for the 2005 long rains for the District is 139 mm, the average actual

rainfall for the District was 91.45 mm. The 2005 long rains were therefore well below normal

resulting in a worsening of food security indicators and an increase in target beneficiaries

receiving food aid, amounting to 130,501.

2005: Short Rains

Divisions

Average

Actual

Sebule 96 30


Eldas 134 3

Gurar 156 28

Diff 97 22




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Kotulo Wagir 131 3

Buna 151 19

Bute 172 48

Habasweni 102 11

Griftu 114 9

The historical average for the 2005 short rains for the District is 113 mm, the average actual

rainfall for the District was 17.72 mm. The 2005 short rains therefore totally failed. All

Divisions are in a state of emergency and all food security indicators are showing a

worsening trend.

As can be seen from the image most of Wagir District has received only 0-10% of normal

rainfall, with only parts of Buna, Bute, Gurar, Tarbaj, Diff, and Sebule Divisions receiving

between 10-20% and 20-40% of normal rainfall.

In summary the 2004 long rains were just below normal, the 2004 short rains were just above

normal, the 2005 long rains were much below normal and the 2005 short rains failed

abysmally throughout the District. The current food security situation is worsening and is

only expected to improve with the onset of the long rains of 2006.

1.3 Main Factors Affecting Food Security

The current season has impacted negatively (by varying degrees) on all the early warning

indicators including environmental, human welfare and rural economy indicators. A variety

of coping strategies have also been adopted that indicate high levels of drought stress.

1.4 Recommendations

Sector specific recommendations have been made largely for the short and medium term. An

effort was made during the assessment to ensure that the emphasis was not limited to food aid

but complemented by multi-sectoral mitigation measures. Given that these recommendations

have been articulated and budgeted for by the various Line Departments at the District level,

further information on specific details pertaining to each intervention can be obtained from

the relevant District Officer. Overall, it is estimated that between 60-70% of the population

requires food aid, complemented with a range of non-food interventions.

2. CURRENT FOOD SECURITY SITUATION

2.1 Impact of current short rains on various sectors

2.1.1 Livestock

As a result of the failure of the 2005 short rains the regeneration of pasture has been

extremely poor. It is estimated that in comparison to a normal year, just 10% of the land is

covered with pasture and 20% with browse (palatable), (located in parts of Bura, Bute, Gurar,

Sembule, and Diff). 25% of livestock have migrated out of the District, to neighbouring,

Marsabit, Isiolo and Somalia. Livestock body condition is extremely poor for cattle and

sheep, and fair for goats, camels and donkeys. Livestock mortality has been estimated as

follows: 50% for cattle and sheep, 25% for camels and goats, and 15% for donkeys. Long

trekking distances coupled with watering intervals have exacerbating poor body conditions.




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Some of the diseases reported in livestock include CBPP, CCPP, and diarrhea in cattle, worm

infestation in goats and donkeys, enterotoxaemia in goats, ectoparasite infestation in camels

and general emaciation and dehydration. Finally livestock prices show a steady decline as

compared to the average.

Livestock Average Price Price: December 2005

Cattle 9,000 1,567

Sheep 900 434

Goats 626 1,500

Camels 8,500 2,554

2.1.2 Water

There are 36 functioning boreholes in the District, of which 31 are operational. There are

currently 36 sites for water trucking. Arid Lands is providing a fuel subsidy of 30-50 litters a

day deepening on the yielding capacity, and the water trucks are covering distances of

between 32km-100 km per trip.

Oxfam is trucking water to pastoralists, in 12 sites (three in each constituency) with a target

population of 20,000. There are 190 water pans in the District, the majority of which are very

old, 90 of which are silted and 20 require de-silting. There are 10,000 shallow wells, 50% of

which are located in seven location of Wagir Central. These water supplies are far from

adequate and the heavy convergence of livestock and human populations at water points has

resulted in long waiting periods and contamination of water sources.

2.1.3 Crop Production

Irrigated as well as rain-fed agriculture is being practiced in the District. Of the 640 hectares

of rain-fed farmland plated, all of the crop has wilted, and 21 hectares of the irrigated

farmland is still under production.

2.1.4 Health And Nutrition

The current drought situation poses serious challenges for the Ministry of Health in Wajir.

Livestock deaths and the inadequate disposal of carcasses poses a public health threat as the

air is putrefied with the stench of decaying animals, water sources could become

contaminated and there could be an outbreak of vector borne diseases. The District has faced

an upsurge of diarrhoeal diseases, malaria and malnutrition in the last quarter of the year.

Malnutrition rates are at 29.8% as per an assessment carried out by UNICEF in October

2005, and preliminary results of screening assessments carried out by MERLIN in December

2005, show an increase in malnutrition rates to 32% in the four worst affected Divisions.

33.3% of children assessed are underweight and 15.2% showed stunted growth In the last

three months Wajir District hospital has admitted 115 children who are less then 70% weight

for height, to the paediatric ward. Two cases of measles were also reported in the District and

a case of polio was reported in Somalia.

There are 33 health facilities in Wajir District of which 14 are closed and shortages of human

resources, drugs and vaccines pose great difficulties in coping with the current drought

situation.




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2.1.5 Education

As a result of a number of factors including parents migrating, children being sent away to

stay with relatives, children engaging in child labour, or school closing owing to critical

water shortages, children are forced to drop out of school. 793 children have already dropped

out of school. It is estimated by the District Education Officer that 11,556 students may drop

out by February 2006.

The school feeding program is on-going in 85 primary schools, and the food is arriving on

average three weeks into the term, as a result of logistic challenges. However once the food

does arrive in schools, children are receiving a meal everyday.

2.1.6 Security

Leaders from Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit and Moyolo, had agreed in June 2005 that pastoralists

residing in these District return to Wajir, by the end of June 2005. A large number of

pastoralists nevertheless remained in Merti and Sericho Divisions of Isilo causing tension

between the Boran’s and the Somali pastoralists

This resulted in hostility and 400 cattle and 8 lives have been lost to violent conflict over

pasture and water on the Wajir, Isiolo border. In another raid on the Isiolo, Wajir border, 90

camels migrating from Wajir were raided and one death was reported. There is fear that

conflict between pastoralists in neighbouring Districts as well as those grazing in Somalia

could erupt at any time.

3. RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Rationale for scaling up food and non-food interventions in Wajir District

Coping Strategies

Communities have resorted to using the following undesirable and unsustainable coping

mechanisms to deal with current levels of drought stress:

� Migration within the District, between Districts and to Somalia

� Distress sales of livestock

� Distress slaughter of livestock for consumption

� Children sent to stay with relatives or friends

� Kinship support

� Begging

� Child labour (girls being employed as maids)

� Sharing of relief food

� Reducing the number of meals to one meal a day

� Consumption of wild tubers

� Collection and sale of firewood

� Sale of charcoal

� Pastoralist drop out moving to town centres in search of employment or to stay with relatives

and friends

� Herd separation

� Livestock being fed on newspapers and cartons

� Collection of pods from acacia tortilis and prosopis to feed young ones

� Reducing the milking regime of livestock from twice to once a day

� Opening of contingency boreholes




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Division Food Security Ranking

Division Name Food Security Rank

(1 very good – 10 very bad)

Hardado 10

Kotulo 10

Habasweni 10

Griftu 10

Sebule 9

Tarbaj 9

Wajir-Bor 9

Eldas 9

Buna 9

Bute 8

Gurar 8

Diff 8

Wagir Central 6

3.2 Response Actions

3.2.1 Livestock

Current On-Going Interventions

� VSF Swiss and the District Veterinary Officer are undertaking a vaccination program

worth Ksh 500,000

� The Kenya Red Cross and the Ministry of Livestock is undertaking a livestock of-take

program worth Ksh 5 million

Recommended Actions

Immediate

� Emergency livestock of-take program to target 30% of livestock in the District

Species No: Targeted Average Price Total (Ksh)

Cattle 40,000 3,000 120 million

Sheep 30,000 7,00 21 million

TOTAL 141 million

� Emergency fodder provision for breeding stock (20,000 cattle). 2 kg of hay are

required for 100 days for 20,000 cattle. This amounts to 400,000 bales, (each bale

costs Ksh 200) amounting to an intervention cost of Ksh 80,000,000.

� Vaccination treatment campaign to be re-launched in areas with a high concentration

of animals, that were not covered during the last vaccination campaign in order to

avoid outbreaks of diseases such as foot and mouth, anthrax and CCPP.

Long Term

� Construction of a medium sized abattoir to enhance livestock marketing

3.2.2 Water




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Current Ongoing Intervention

� The Ministry of Water and Arid Lands have five water tankers in operation

� 17 new boreholes are being drilled by the Ministry of Water

� Oxfam is trucking water to 12 centres in four constituencies

Recommended Actions

Immediate

� 40 gensets are required to be overhauled and 10 new gensets (Perkins model)

procured at Ksh 10 million

� 15 new submersible pumps need to be procured at a cost of Ksh 350,000/

� 2 vehicles (4 x 4) are required for use by the rapid response teams at Ksh 3 million

� Fuel subsidy for 20,000 litres of fuel required for borehole operations at Ksh 1.5

million a month (Ksh 75 per litre of diesel)

� Oxfam’s water trucking to pastoralists (where they are grazing) is required to be

increased to 28 sites, amounting to a total of 40 sites, with a delivery of 10,000 litres

of water, to 66,000 people, with an average of two trips per week for a period of three

months. Truck hire costs are estimated at Ksh 29,920,000 for the three-month period.

Medium Term

� De-silting of 20 water pans at an estimated cost of Ksh 1.8 million per water pan

� Capping of shallow wells and provision of hand pumps for 200 shall wells in Wagir

Central at an estimated cost of Ksh 90,000

3.2.2 Crop Production

Current Ongoing Interventions

None

Recommended Actions

Immediate

� Farming tools are to be provided to the pastoral drop outs as follows:

Tool Quantity Unit Cost Total

Plain jembe 10,000 25,0 2,500,000

Fork jembe 1,000 250 250,000

Wheel barrows 5,00 2,500 1,250,000

Spade 5,00 4,00 200,000

Mattock 2,000 6,00 1,200,000

Pangas 3,000 1,00 300,000

Watering cans 1,000 400 400,000

knapsack 50,000 2,000 1,000,000

Total

7,100,000

Associated costs of distribution include fuel, allowances for officers and monitoring totalling

Ksh 599,700, resulting in a grand total of Ksh 13,059,700.

3.2.3 Health And Nutrition




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• MERLIN is operational in seven Divisions including Wajir Central, Wajir Bor, Griftu,

Hardado, Habasweni, Tarbaj, and Sebule. Their activities are scheduled to continue

until mid-June and involve mainly systematic screening of under five’s as well as the

establishment of outpatient therapeutic centres in all the above-mentioned Divisions.

• Capacity building support provided by MERLIN to health workers

• Water trucking carried out by MERLIN to 6 dispensaries

• EPI outreach support is being provided by MERLIN in seven Divisions

Recommended Actions

Immediate

The Ministry of Health has a contingency plan including the following activities however it

does not have the funds to implement the plan.

� Establishment of a therapeutic feeding centre at the District Hospital and 5

supplementary feeding centres at an estimated cost of Ksh 10 million

� Primary and secondary transportation of essential and non-essential drugs and

vaccines at Ksh 1,450,000

� Purchase of non-scheduled (EMMS) drugs at Ksh 1,628,000

� Integrated mobile outreach services to seven Divisions at Ksh 20 million

� Proper handling of dead carcasses in all 13 Divisions at Ksh 500,000

3.2.4 Education


The school feeding program is operational in 85 primary schools throughout the District

Recommended Actions

Immediate

• Water trucking to schools including Wajir Bor Boarding Primary, Tarbaj Boarding

Primary, and Ogorji, Danaba, Ingirir, Qudama, and Tulatula Primary schools

• Provision of food for fees

� More stringent monitoring of the school feeding program

� More regular participation of the Ministry of Education in the DSG meeting

� Pre-positioning of stocks before the start of the term

3.2.5 Security


1. Community initiated reconciliation talks to reduce hostilities and to facilitate the

return of pastoralists from Wajir back home. The activity was facilitated by a local

NGO called WASDA.

2. Return of stolen animals is ongoing in Wajir, Isiolo and Marsabit. A series of

meetings have been held the most recent meeting was held on 14th Jan in Besa in

Isiolo. The meetings have been facilitated by the Pastoralist Peace and Development

Agency.




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Recommended Actions

Immediate

• Increase police presence along the Wagir, Isiolo border to prevent raiding

• 3 peace meetings to take place over the next three months. To facilitate the meeting

fuel costs amounting to Ksh 405,000 and allowances for 20 participants amounting to

Ksh 180,000 would be required.

Emergency FOOD AID

Division

Rank

Number

Food

Insecurity

Range of

percentage

population

requiring

food aid

Possible

food ration

level

Definition

1. Hardado Very high 65-70% 75%

1. Kotulo Very high 65-70% 75%

1. Habasweni Very high 65-70% 75%

1. Griftu Very high 65-70% 75%

High emergency people

will die without food and

non-food aid intervention

2. Sebule High 65-70% 75%

2. Tarbaj High 65-70% 75%

2. Wajir-Bor High 65-70% 75%

2. Eldas High 65-70% 75%

2. Buna High 65-70% 75%

2. Bute High 60-65% 75%

2. Gurar High 60-65% 75%

2. Diff High 60-65% 75%

People are adopting sever

negative coping

mechanisms. Mitigation

actions needed both food

and non-food

3. Central Moderate 20% 50% People have good coping

strategies however still

face a significant food gap

For all the above Divisions the food distribution type should be general food distribution. In

addition 30% of the vulnerable population (pregnant and lactating mothers, and children

under five) should receive supplementary feeding.

wajir sr 2006 assessment report -...

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