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MONTHLY REPORT FOR AUGUST 2002 RAPPORT MENSUEL DU MOIS D’AOÛT 2002

This report covers the period from July 30 to August 28, 2002

Summary

The dry season is continuing in the farming and herding areas of the southwestern, central and northern parts of the country. In the southeast, rainfall totals recorded through the end of the second dekad of August were less than for the same period in 2001 and less than the 1987- 2001 average. In many agricultural areas, the farmers had to re-plant their fields. In low-lying areas, the crops that are farthest along are at the height-growth and tillering stages.

The thickest pastures and most advanced crops are seen in the southern strip of the country bordering on Mali (from the Moughataa (department) in Gorgol Wilaya (Region) to the Moughataa in Hodh El Chargui), but even there, the farmers are skeptical about how this season will turn out. Everywhere else, the farmers are still waiting for the first rains sufficient for planting.

Grazing conditions are improving throughout the eastern part of the country but remain particularly worrisome in the center and the southwest, where increasing numbers of animals are dying.

Food insecurity is at its worst ever, and extremely food-insecure areas (the pastoralist moughataas of Trarza, moughataas in the Senegal River valley and the Aftout, and central moughataas of Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi) are slipping inexorably into pre-famine conditions. In the Aftout [Brakna, Gorgol and Assaba wilayas , there is an increasing number of cases of acute malnutrition, night blindness, scurvy, and even death due to undernourishment and thirst. Survival strategies, which are based on careful use of the meager contributions sent by “emigrant relatives,” are no longer adequate to manage the prevailing food crisis.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has still not been able to bring together the funds necessary for an intervention. Sporadic food distributions organized by the Commissariat à la Sécurité Alimentaire (CSA) [Food Security Commission] have not been sufficient to stop the ongoing deterioration of food conditions.

The prices of all foodstuffs (traditional cereals and imported products) are rising everywhere in the country, and in some growing areas (Trarza, Brakna, Gorgol and Hodh El Chargui wilayas) the price of sorghum has reached an all-time high. However, with the exception of sorghum, foodstuffs are in good supply. The market is well supplied with imported food products for those who can afford to buy them. I: NATURAL CONDITIONS AND PRODUCTION FACTORS

I A: Rainfall

The data collected by rain gauge stations show that the second dekad of August received a fair amount of rainfall, especially in the southern and eastern wilayas of the country, where the timing of the rains was better and totals for the dekad exceeded 50 mm. The southwestern wilayas received less rain. (Table 1).

Table 1: Total rainfall (mm) recorded during the second dekad of August 2002

REGION DEPARTMENT STATION TOTAL FOR DAYS OF DEKAD RAIN HODH EL CHARGUI Néma Néma 58.5 4 Timbédra 80.5 3 Oualata Oualata 50.0 1 HODH EL GHARBI Aïoun Aïoun 74.7 2 Tintane 65.5 2 ASSABA Kiffa 89.6 3 Kankossa 58.0 3 Barkéol Barkéol 77.3 4 GUIDIMAKHA Sélibaby Sélibaby 108.5 3 Sélibaby 149.0 3 Sélibaby 71.4 3 Sélibaby Wompou 93.2 3 GORGOL Kaëdi Toufoundé 64.0 3 Civé M’Bout M’Bout 79.9 4 M’Bout Djadjibiné 74.8 3 Maghama Maghama 84.3 3

Source: AGRHYMET/Mauritania Table: FEWS NET/Mauritania

To date, few stations have recorded a season total of 200 mm. In Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi, no station has yet recorded a total of 200 mm, although the normal total for this period is between about 400 and 600 mm, depending on the latitude. In Assaba, only the Kankossa station recorded 201.8 mm (11 days). In Guidimakha, three of the five stations exceeded 200 mm. In Gorgol, Maghama’s only station recorded 234.0 mm of rain for the season in 9 days of rain.

Only five stations recorded more rainfall than for the same dekad last year. They were: Néma in Hodh El Chargui (+123.0 mm); Gouraye (+12.5 mm) and Wompou (+28.6 mm) in Guidimakha; and Maghama (+27.7 mm) and Foum Gleïta (+62.4 mm) in Gorgol.

A comparison with the same dekad in 2001 shows that all stations had less rainfall this year. Only three of the 60 stations received more rain than the average for the last fifteen years (1987-2001), namely: Aïoun (+28.3 mm), Kankossa (+36.3 mm), and Néma (+84.8 mm). This situation has accentuated the difficulties experienced in getting the growing season underway in rakna and Trarza Wilayas, where rainfall has been low, badly timed, and poorly distributed

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Comparison of Rainfall Estimates (RFE) for the second dekad of August 2002

1) August 11-20, 2002 2) Compared to Average 3) Compared to August 11-20, 2001

Layout: FEWS NET Mauritania Data: NASA, USGS

The comparison with average rainfall reveals a significant shortage in the southwest. In contrast, the comparison with the same dekad of 2001 shows nearly identical conditions in the western part of the country (Trarza and western Brakna), a clear improvement this year in the central part of the country (Maghama Moughataa in Gorgol; Guidimakha, Assaba, Hodh El Gharbi and many pockets of Hodh El Chargui). In the southwest ( Néré zone in the Bassikounou Moughataa), there is a slight shortfall.

The agricultural season can therefore be considered to have just begun in all of the farming areas that received rain in the second dekad of August. The same rains improved the water situation for crops in low-lying areas and along watercourses. If the rains were to last beyond the end of September, these crops might reach maturity. Everywhere else (Trarza, Brakna, Tagant), farmers are still holding on to their seeds, but their lack of confidence is so great that it is not certain they will plant once the rains arrive. They are not sure that the crops will reach maturity, and many have already opted to leave.

I B: Grazing Conditions

Grazing conditions are still catastrophic in the Trarza and Brakna Wilayas in spite of the fact that a few pockets of vegetation began to appear in Trarza (Tékane zone and R’Kiz) with the arrival of the rains in the second dekad of August. With the exception of dairy cows, which are fed cattle feed purchased with the proceeds from selling their milk, all of the livestock in these two wilayas is migrating to the Maghama and Sélibaby Moughataas or outside of the country (to Senegal or Mali). The herders have to get up very early every morning to help the weakened animals rise. There are so many carcasses in the grazing areas of these Moughataas that no one counts them any more, and even donkeys are no longer able to hold their own.

The government’s programs for selling cattle feed, such as the sale of spoiled wheat to the herders at 2,000 UM per 50 kg sack and the sale of cattle feed, are not sufficient to make up for the lack of pasturage. The speculation arising from these programs is excluding small stockbreeders who cannot afford even one sack of feed. (Speculators sell for 65 UM/kg, whereas the official price is 25 UM.) In addition to the lack of pasturage, there is a serious problem with access to water. Outside of areas close to the river, herders find it difficult to water their animals from wells in which water levels are falling. In the central areas of Trarza and in the north and the Aftout (Brakna), people sometimes travel several kilometers to obtain water in the rare villages fortunate enough to possess drilled wells.

Beginning 90 km east of Kaëdi, grazing conditions begin to improve. Pasture growth is thicker, and as one travels farther east, it becomes more diversified (Figure 2). If rainfall does not increase during the third dekad of August, heavy overcrowding of the pastures may lead to a decrease in potential pasturage.

There is no significant change in vegetation indices (Map 1) compared to the third dekad of July. The effects of the rainfall during the second dekad of August will not appear until the next set of images is published.

The comparisons with the average and the second dekad of 2001 show significant shortages in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) throughout the country, except in the extreme south of the Néma Moughataa (Maps 2 and 3). Everywhere else, the shortage is significant and, as in July, it is also seen in the neighboring Senegalese and Malian regions that are the destinations of many migratory herds and flocks.

Figure 2: Change in Biomass by Analysis of NDVIs for the second dekad of August, 2002

1) August 11-20, 2002 2) Compared to Average 3) Compared to August 11-20, 2001

Layout: FEWS NET Mauritania Data: NASA, USGS

I C: Agricultural Production by Type

Dieri (rainfed crops) are the only type currently planted by farmers in Guidimakha, southern Assaba, Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi. In Gorgol, Brakna and Trarza, irrigated crops have been planted.

The prospects for walo (flood-recession crops) and lowland crops are not good. Due to the low flood stage, no walo crops can be expected in the near future, and none of the dam reservoirs has yet begun to fill with water.

Dieri (rainfed crops): The August rains improved the water situation for rainfed crops in the south of Guidimakha (Sélibaby Moughataa), of Assaba (Kankossa Moughataa) and of Hodh El Chargui (Timbédra, Djiguenni and Bassikounou Moughataas). Early maize and sorghum crops planted in low-lying areas are only at the heading stage, whereas at this time in a normal year, the farmers would already be able to eat part of their green crop. In the upland areas of these same wilayas, the farmers are continuing to plant.

In Brakna, in the M’Bagne Moughataa, some farmers planted in low-lying areas after the rain on June 21. These are small plots where the crops — any that escaped damage from wandering animals and grain-eating birds so numerous that they dug up the seeds — are now at the tillering and height-growth stages. In other agricultural wilayas, the farmers have not yet begun the planting.

In Gorgol, in spite of the irregular rains, the planting has been completed, mainly in the Maghama and M’Bout Moughataas’ drainages. Crops there are in stages ranging from emergence to height-growth. Upland planting did not begin until the second dekad of August. In the rest of the wilaya, farmers had not planted as of August 22. Agricultural engineers and farmers are unanimous in the opinion that this last part of the season is in jeopardy even if the season lasts until October.

Irrigated Crops: The area sown was much less than in 2001.

In Trarza: The only crops put in are irrigated crops. This year, the area sown was much less than in previous years due to several constraints: • The small amount of farm credit allocated. Out of 175 requests submitted, the Crédit Agricole (government agricultural fund) granted loans to only 48 cooperatives. It is currently reviewing 12 other applications. • The lack of high-quality seeds. Declaration of Disaster • The lack of tractors for

working the soil. The extreme lateness of this year’s rainy season, along with • The slowness of the rains that were mostly below normal, has aggravated the supply system for inputs. already precarious food situation in our rural regions even • Heavy pressure by more. birds, which has made

many farmers hesitate. Rainfed crops are in jeopardy in most regions, dam reservoirs

are dry, and for the third year in a row, there will be no flood- The varieties of rice cultivated recession crops because the river did not flood. are mainly Sahel 108 and 202.

The farmers are direct seeding, Grazing conditions are hardly better, and it is even to be but they are very fearful. On feared that livestock mortality will continue to increase. both sides of the Senegal River, all forested areas have been Faced with this worrisome situation, the Government of the invaded by birds, which have Islamic Republic of Mauritania is making an appeal to made enormous depredations friendly nations and organizations to provide emergency food on the off-season crops. If aid of 37,000 MT of cereals and 14,000 MT of additional nothing is done to stop this products to assist the affected populations. It also requests scourge, a large portion of the veterinary assistance and animal feed to help stem the rising coming harvest will be lost. tide of high livestock mortality.

In Brakna: As in Trarza, the Ministry of the Interior and of Postal and Telecommunications only crops planted were September 1, 2002 irrigated crops. The regional office of Société nationale du développement rural (SONADER) [National Agency for Rural Development] estimates the current area planted (in rice) as 2004 ha (1,695 ha for the Boghé Wilaya and 309 ha for Bababé Wilaya). The small size of the area planted results primarily from problems with access to agricultural credit, which only 22 cooperatives received.

In Gorgol: Irrigated crops are in the ground. SONADER’s regional office estimates that as of August 14, 2,071 ha (including 55 ha of sorghum) had been planted. Most of this was in the town of Kaëdi, where the two perimeter areas alone total 1,643 ha. Many village cooperatives were not able to plant crops due to a lack of agricultural credit. According to agricultural engineers, the problems of seed and fertilizer availability were solved by government policy, but the farmers cannot buy supplies due to a lack of purchasing power on the part of village cooperatives, which are judged to be insolvent by the Crédit Agricole.

I D: Evaluation of Conditions in Farming and Grazing Areas

As in July, Mauritania remains divided into two areas: 1. An area of more favorable conditions extending from the south of the Sélibaby Moughataa in Guidimakha to the northern part of the Bassikounou Moughataa in Hodh El Chargui. This area is less homogeneous than in July, as there are sizable pockets where there was a shortfall of rain through the end of the second dekad of August. 2. A southwestern area where rainfall was lower than in 2001 and lower than average. This area is more homogeneous and includes the northern areas bordering Senegal (river regions) and the northwestern areas bordering Mali (Kayes area).

I D1: Areas Where Conditions Are Good

In Hodh El Chargui: It is in the south of this wilaya (from the southern part of the Néma Moughataa to the Malian border) that the best grazing and farming conditions are found.

In Hodh El Gharbi: Conditions have greatly improved in the southern part of the Aïoun Moughataa and the northern part of the Kobonni Moughataa.

In Guidimakha: In contrast to the month of July, conditions are good only in the center and south of the Sélibaby Moughataa. All of the stations in the southern part of the area recorded several rain showers (two to three occurrences of enough rainfall to be useful) with fairly substantial totals for the dekad. There was a significant shortfall of rain in the wilayas northern part (Ould Yengé Moughataa). The best farming and grazing conditions are found in the southern part of the Sélibaby Moughataa. In the Gouraye area (in the extreme south of the Moughataa) the situation is better (+ 40 mm) than the average from 1987-2001.

In Assaba: In the center and south of the Kankossa Moughataa, there is a broad agricultural strip where conditions are considered good. The large influx of herds and flocks from the northern and eastern wilayas of the country into this area would seem to confirm this.

At the border between Assaba and Tagant, rain in the third dekad of July and the first dekad of August greatly improved the situation.

I D2: Areas Where Conditions Are Average

In Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi: There has been noticeable improvement in farming conditions in the central areas of Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi, however, the indices (Figure 2, Map 1) show that conditions are still below normal. In contrast, along the Malian border, the decrease in the indices may be due to the fact that there was no rain between the third dekad of July and the second dekad of August.

In Assaba: Conditions also improved in southern Kiffa and Barkéol Moughataas.

In Gorgol: Agricultural activities have begun in the north and west of the M’Bout Moughataa, which received significant rainfall.

I D3: Areas Where Conditions Are Poor

Farming and grazing conditions remain poor throughout Trarza and Brakna, in the northern and central parts of Gorgol (west of the Kaëdi Moughataa and in all of ). In the central areas of Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi, owners of small ruminants are faring the best under current conditions, as their animals have pasturage and water. Farmers are still watching and waiting.

II: FOOD CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK

Food conditions and prospects continue to worsen in the river valley and in the Aftout. They are improving in other grazing areas, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty about areas that support rainfed agriculture (rainfed and lowland crops) and flood-recession crops. To date, there has been no consistent program for correcting the 204,589 MT annual cereal production shortfall of the DPSE [Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation Office]. Sporadic distributions by the WFP and the CSA are far from having resolved the problem. The dizzying rise in the price of staple foodstuffs, at a time when many households have lost their small livestock (since January’s bad weather) and when they cannot count on ecological supplementation (gathering) has outpaced the survival strategies developed by rural populations: many households are already living under pre-famine conditions.

II A: Areas Where Conditions Are Good

In the south and east of the country, water and pasturage problems are no longer a topic of conversation. For herders, the crisis is over. When grazing conditions improve and farming conditions are poor, the herders entrust some of their animals to the farmers of their community. The farmers care for the animals and drink their milk. In this way, the farmers have milk to drink to supplement their food system based on the consumption of foods made from leaves (beans, sorrel, baobab etc.).

For the farmers, their current consumption of the first usable parts of the crops (primarily leaves) supplements the beneficial results (additional food) from the mutual-aid relationship between these two communities based on direct or indirect animal husbandry. Despite the unraveling of the social fabric, these mechanisms still work when one group faces trying times.

II B: Areas Where Conditions Are Average

These are primarily grazing areas. As in the areas where conditions are good, the rains of the first and second dekads of August were beneficial to herders, even cattle farmers, who stopped selling at exorbitant prices. They also perked up the crops, which had begun to feel the effects of the lack of rain in the third dekad of July.

II C: Areas Where Conditions Are Poor

All observers agree that the situation is catastrophic. The Multidisciplinary Working Group missions, which traveled through the country from August 15 to 26, unanimously stated that emergency measures must be taken in these areas where thirst and famine have begun to claim their victims. • Animal losses have been considerable there, which further reduces the people’s ability to apply their animal-based survival strategies. • WFP has just completed an emergency operation in the targeted areas and in areas of extreme food insecurity, UNICEF is trying to start up a program for creating and strengthening community food centers. • Households in the Senegal River valley and the Aftout are still in a situation of extreme food insecurity, surviving on what is sent to them by migrant family members. Merchants are increasingly reluctant to lend, because the prospects for the upcoming harvest, the main source of collateral, are not at all good.

III: CURRENT FOOD AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

III A: The National Situation

The situation is greatly improving as the rainy season sets in. The effects of the large cereal shortage (204,589 MT) will be mitigated by increased milk production by the herders and farmers. In addition, the increase in the market value of small ruminants (which are putting on weight in the new pastures) will strengthen purchasing power and improve access to markets that are still well supplied with imported foodstuffs.

Food conditions in urban poor households in large cities (Nouakchott and ) continue to deteriorate. Nevertheless, crowded households are still welcoming new arrivals.

The prices of all foodstuffs are rising on all markets. In some producing areas, the price per moud (about 4 kg) of sorghum is at its highest level within memory (720 UM in M’Bagne, 680 UM in Bababé, 700 UM in Magta-Lahjar).

III B: Current Conditions In Neighboring Countries

The areas in Mali and Senegal along the borders appear from satellite images to be as far behind in rainfall as Mauritania. The supply of cereal from Mali is greatly reduced (which may in part explain the rise in sorghum and millet prices in Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi). In Senegal, a substantial amount of rice is available and the prices are much lower than those in Mauritania (the equivalent of 4,300 UM for a 50-kg sack in the markets along the Mauritanian borders, compared to 8,000 UM in Nouakchott). However, importation is prohibited and the customs service is patrolling the entire border.

III B1: Supply of Staple Foods and Price Changes

The retail prices of sorghum and imported staple foods continue to rise (Table 2).

III B2: ACCESS TO FOOD

Table 2. Comparison of the Prices of Foodstuffs: August 2001 vs August 2002 Magta- Boghé Bababé Lahjar Sorghum 2001 120 140 138 120 2002 150 160 170 150 Wheat 2001 45 45 48 50 2002 60 60 58 80 Rice 2001 100 70 86 120 2002 150 120 130 140 Oil 2001 200 170 180 180 2002 270 260 260 280 Flour 2001 50 60 70 70 2002 80 80 100 90

Source: Multidisciplinary Working Group 1

In most rural areas, access to food is gained only through loans, purchases, and packages sent by the migrants. Family reserves have been exhausted for more than four years.

Access to water has improved except in the Aftout (Gorgol and Brakna).

In Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi, Assaba, Guidimakha and the eastern part of Gorgol, herders have better access to food. They have milk and can sell their animals at better prices. In the other grazing areas, herders who were not able to leave on time for the annual migration lost enormous numbers of animals.

In the outlying areas of the large cities (Nouakchott, Nouadhibou and Zouerate) and rural towns (Kaëdi, Kiffa, Aïoun and Néma), access to food continues to decrease.

IV: CURRENTLY VULNERABLE AREAS AND GROUPS

In Trarza: The most vulnerable areas are the Méderdra, R’Kiz and Rosso Moughataas. Farmers and herders there who were impoverished by the bad weather in January are experiencing extreme food insecurity. The people of the Senegal River valley’s adwaba villages have been sorely tested by four years of poor flood-recession and irrigated cereal crops. Some households in the village of Bezoulé confided that they have sometimes gone three consecutive days without a substantial meal. Local coping mechanisms are fully engaged and attempts are being made to provide food first to children, the elderly, and women.

In Brakna: As early as April, a farmer in Olo Ologa (Ould Birom), in the Boghé Moughataa, told us “We live by borrowing wheat and rice.” At this point in the season, nothing has come along to change that. Whereas in April FEWS NET observed only some forms of physical marasmus, primarily in adults, pre-famine conditions can now be read on every face. It is nearly impossible to find a cooking fire in the evening in most of the wilaya’s villages. The Hakhem (Prefects) of Boghé, Bababé, M’Bagne and Magta-Lahjar, who recently accompanied the Wali (Governor) on his tour of their administrative jurisdictions unanimously lamented the prevailing food situation. During the week of August 12-18, the medical service in the town of Boghé noted 36 cases of diarrhea linked to food poisoning (eating indigestible famine foods, drinking non-potable water, etc.).

The head doctor at Bababé Hospital stated that he had observed many cases of malnutrition in both children and adults in all of the villages in the northern part of the Moughataa and the villages in the river valley.

In all of the Brakna portion of the Aftout (the northern parts of the Boghé, Bababé and M’Bagne Moughataa , the southern part of the Moughataa and the western part of the Magta-Lahjar Moughataa), deteriorating food conditions are being aggravated by thirst.

It will be recalled that in April UNICEF, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and CARITAS were coordinating their programs to open community food centers (CFCs), village shops and cereal banks. Some of these CFCs currently have supply problems and cannot contain the flood of “asylum seekers.” This makes four consecutive years that these people have lived in a state of food insecurity. This year, the bad weather in January deprived them of their primary tool for crisis management, their livestock. They are in a state of extreme food insecurity and some are already living in pre-famine conditions.

In Gorgol: The food situation is critical in the Monguel Moughataa, particularly in the Melzem Teïchett and Azgueïlem areas. In the M’Bout Moughataa, the food situation is especially difficult in the communes of , Cheklet Tiyab, , and Tarenguel. In Lembeïdiyat, 18 km east of M’Bout, many cases of night blindness have been observed. In all of the Gorgol portion of the Aftout, in about 320 adwaba spread between Monguel, M’Bout, and the northern part of Maghama, there are no more evening meals, and the tools for managing this food insecurity are based uniquely on collateral loans.

Food insecurity is aggravated by problems with access to water. There is nothing more heart- rending than the sight of children lying down and dying of hunger and thirst.

To deal with the situation, the Hakhem of Monguel suggests using tanker trucks to supply water to the villages, and distributing emergency food aid.

In Guidimakha: The Ould Yengé Moughataa and the central areas of the Sélibaby Moughataa, populated by Haratin farmers and destitute Peuls, are experiencing a state of high food insecurity.

In Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi: The farmers in the northern and central parts and in the , Bassikounou, Djiguenni, Timbédra (Hodh El Chargui), and Kobonni and Tintane (Hodh El Gharbi) Moughataas are slightly better off thanks to improved access to water. Their extreme food insecurity could abate slightly if the current rainfall trends continue until the end of October, because then they will at least be able to grow lowland crops.