NUTRITIONAL

SURVEY

REPORT

of the Woreda, Zone

Compiled By Moges Tefera May 2000 CARE SUMMARY

A) Pasture and Water Condition: There has been an acute shortage of pasture and water since January 2000, three months after immigrants from neighboring zones flooded the Woreda. Particularly there has been severe shortage of water since mid-March and pastoralists have been purchasing from individual dealers with an average price of 20 Birr per barrel, which is higher than the normal year average price of Birr 9.50.

B) Livestock condition: The severe shortage of pasture and water as well as long walk during migration killed most of the livestock. Since December 1999,most families have, on the average, lost 34 cattle (85% of the total cattle population), four sheep (67%), two camels (40%) and two goats (20%). However, the livestock condition of local pastoralists is relatively better than the displaced. An estimated 40% of cattle population ( six per family), 46 % of sheep ( 14 per family), 10% goat (four per family) have been lost since January 2000.

C) Human condition: Displaced households (HHs) reported acute shortage of food since January 2000 and this is the worst in their living memory. Most reported eating one meal per day. Some have already started to skip all meals since mid-April. According to a cluster nutrition survey result, the prevalence of wasting is very high (50% of the total children measured). Death of 11 children has been reported due to food shortage in the last one month. Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infection are severely affecting 30% and 58% of the children respectively. Their shelter condition is very poor. The total displaced HHs are estimated to be 2,541 (17,787 people).

Most local HHs do not have food shortage except some that are relatively poor. These reported one meal per day since March 2000. As per the nutrition survey result the percentage of malnourished children account for 32%. The prevalence of Diarrhea and ARI has reported at the rate of 19.5% and 32% respectively. The local poor HHs are estimated to be 3,350 (23,450 people).

2 1. Introduction:

Somali Regional DPPB and CARE Ethiopia organized and conducted an assessment of the human and livestock condition in Harshin woreda, Jijiga Zone. The assessment was carried out between 21 - 29 April 2000 by experts from Regional DPPB, Health Bureau, Agriculture Bureau, Woreda Agriculture Office, SCF-UK, Oxfam GB, MSF-Belgium, and CARE-Ethiopia.

Methodologies used during the assessment include: · Discussions with various NGOs working in Jijiga zone, and Woreda DPP committee members, · Discussion with individual displaced and local pastoralists in eleven Kebeles. The factors included in the questionnaires were: - Availability of water and pasture - Livestock condition - Food availability - Human health situation

· Nutrition survey: The focus of this nutrition survey was on the anthropometric (body) measurement of weight and length of 250 among which 200 locals and 50 displaced children between 1 and 5 years old (70 -110 cm tall) in five Kebeles. Because of scarcity of pasture and water the displaced HHs are highly scattered and the team traveled several kilometers everyday to find the displaced and was able to measure five to ten children per day.

The nutritional status indicator used, weight-for-length Z score, is of interest as it indicates the vulnerability of different population groups to changes in food intake and health status. Weight- for-length Z score is particularly reliable in indicating the prevalence of acute or recent malnutrition i.e., wasting or thinness among small children. This indicator is based on the growth reference curves recommended by the World Health Organization for international use. Z score is defined as follows (Ibid, p24):

Z –score = Individual’s value - median value of reference population Standard Deviation (SD) values of reference population

Prevalence of wasting is determined according to the criterion of -2Z - score cut-off point for weight-for-height/length. Results are also presented according to the following categories.

Level of Nutritional Status Weight-for-height/length Z – score Over malnutrition (obesity) >2.00 SD Mild “ (normal) -2.00 to 2.00 SD Moderate “ -3.00 to –2.01 SD Severe “ < -3.00 SD

3 2. Background:

In 1.3 million people are estimated to be in need of emergency food aid (because of irregularity and scarcity of the rains over the past three years ) in the year 2000. The January DPPC assessment and calendar year 2000 appeal reported conditions as fairly positive in Jijiga zone. The appeal for the zone was only for 54,560 people (4% of the regional appeal), which was the lowest of all the nine zones in the region.

As scarcity of water and pasture in Dhega Habour, Warder and Gode zones worsened, pastoralists began to move to the southern fringes of Jijiga zone, in particular Harshin Woreda, in search of pasture and water for their animals. Migration to Harshin as reported by pastoralists started since October 1999.

Harshin is located 125 km south-east of Jijiga and has 30 Kebeles. In accordance with Somali tradition, the local people in Harshin did their best to help out the displaced. However, as the drought conditions worsened, more people and animals burdened the locals. The competition for pasture and water by the displaced pastoralists, and the lateness of the current main rain by five weeks, exacerbated the vulnerability of the locals.

3. Assessment objective:

The main objective of the assessment was to evaluate the current human and livestock condition of the displaced and local pastoralists in Harshin, and to enable CARE and other concerned agencies make decisions concerning the required humanitarian assistance.

4. Findings of the Assessment:

4.1 Pasture and Water:

The availability of pasture was very poor in most of the Kebeles visited. Livestock were just roaming in the rangelands with out anything to graze.

There was an acute shortage of water in most Kebeles since mid- March and pastoralists have been purchasing water from private dealers. Though it became common to purchase water in the last four years, the price increased in the past two months (15 -25 Birr per barrel). As reported by

4 the pastoralists, in a normal year the price ranges between 7 and 12 Birr per barrel. Oxfam-GB and CARE allocated two and three trucks respectively for tankering water to some Kebeles. However, these are not sufficient. CARE distributed 1,004 jerry-cans and Oxfam more than 300 Barrels, around the end of April, to help the destitute.

4.2 Livestock condition:

Displaced pastoralists: The Woreda DPP committee members and traditional elders have reported that most of the displaced people are concentrated in the 15 eastern and western Kebeles of Harshin. However, at the time of the assessment due to good rainfall and relatively better fodder the displaced pastoralists are assembled within seven Kebeles ( Aboker Ahmed, Warta Hussien, Afufley, Kaam Barwaqo, Elmi Hersi, kaam Hashin & Keyder) of Harshin. Most of the displaced pastoralists are highly scattered in these Kebeles. During the assessment the team traveled several kilometers in the bush to find the displaced. It was even difficult for Kebele officials to identify their location. Due to acute shortages of pasture and other reasons many animals were lost since December’99.

Recent deaths of animals

5 Table 1. Livestock Condition (Displaced Pastoralists), Harshin:

Type of Average holding No. died since Reason for death animal per HH before December ‘99 five months n Severe shortage of pasture + water Cattle 40 34 (85%) n Long walk during migration while they were physically weak n Foot & mouth disease n Severe shortage of pasture & water Camel 5 2 (40%) n Long walk during migration while they were physically weak n Severe shortage of pasture + water Sheep 6 4 (67%) n Long walk during migration while they were physically weak n Sheep pox n Severe shortage of pasture + water Goat 10 2 (20%) n Long walk during migration while they were physically weak

As their herds continue to die, the crises is leaving pastoralists increasingly destitute and food insecure. Local Pastoralists: Due to the prolonged dry period and too many migrants coming from the neighboring zones of Harshin, the local pastoralists living condition has been affected. The effect as reported by the local pastoralists can be explained by the competition for the limited water and pasture, and sharing of food. As reported by the elders sheep and goats are the highest in their herd composition followed by camel and cattle. At the time of the assessment, goats and camels had relatively better performance while sheep were weak and dying. Particularly too many sheep ewe and newly born1 sheep have died because of high temperature and shortage of water since mid-April. Cattle are better than camels and small ruminants in terms of income generating capacity but require water on much more regular basis making them sensitive to drought and long walk. At the time of the assessment, cattle were very weak and dying with higher rate of abortion due to the effects of drought.

These cattle should have been grazing at the time this picture is taken (12.00 Am).

1 April and May are the normal birth period for sheep, camels and cows.

6 Table 2. Livestock Condition ( Local HHs), Harshin Type of Average holding No. died since Reasons for death animal per HH before February 2000 three months Cattle 15 6 (40%) ¨ Severe shortage of pasture + water ¨ Foot & mouth disease Camel 10 2 (20%) ¨ Severe shortage of pasture & water

Sheep 30 14 (46%) ¨ Severe shortage of pasture + water ¨ Sheep pox Goat 40 4 (10%) ¨ Severe shortage of pasture + water

4.3 Human Condition:

Displaced HHs: All the displaced households reported high level of food insecurity due to the death of livestock and very low purchasing power since January 2000. Most households reported one meal per day with lower quantity than normal. Some have already started to skip all meals since mid-April. Particularly highest wastage on children has been observed in Warta Hussien and Aboker Ahmed Kebeles. Diarrhea and ARI are severely affecting 30.0% and 58% of the children respectively. Death of 11 children under five years has been reported in Aboker Ahmed and Afufley because of acute food shortages, and in the same Kebeles the team has been able to see more than seven highly malnourished children with baggy pants symptom. In some kebeles very weak elderly people were also observed.

Many children have been observed eating sugar and drinking water to fill their stomach. Because of food shortage most children are very weak and malnourished.

7 Among the 50 children weight for length measurement taken, the Z score value showed 22% severe malnourished, 28% moderately malnourished, and 28% normal.

Their shelter is old and the plastic sheet cover is worn out because of high frequency of movement and lack of money to purchase new plastic sheets.

As reported by elders, some of the displaced who were around the border of the Woreda returned to their area to receive free food distribution in Warder Zone. But most of the displaced that were far from the border said that they may need five to seven months until their weak children and the remaining animals recover and become strong enough to walk back to their locality. Some who lost most of their livestock don't want to go back and prefer to stay in Harshin.

Local HHs: Most local pastoralists didn’t report shortage of food. But in every Kebele visited the elders reported that some poor households are suffering from acute food shortage. An estimated 30% of households in every Kebele can only afford one meal per day. In normal times the sources of income for these HHs 2 are sale of small ruminants, children herding livestock for the better-off, gifts of food by the better-off and sale of charcoal. Most of these sources were not available at the time of the assessment. According to the elders, the holdings of the poor HHs have only been small ruminants (on average 10) and most have died due to the effect of the prolonged dry season and the remaining are very weak to be sold. The result of the nutrition survey of the local pastoralists is shown in the following table.

Table 3 weight for length Z score value, locals WHZ Frequency Percent Below – 3.01 11 5.5% Severely malnourished -3.00 to –2.01 SD 53 26.5% Moderately malnourished

-2.00 to 2.00 SD 88 44.00% Normal Above 2.00 SD 48 24.00% Over malnourished Total 200 100%

The highest wastage was observed in Warta Hussien and Debel Weyne Kebeles. Diarrhea and ARI are severely affecting 19.5% and 32% of the children.

8 Recommendation:

Considering the high level of livestock death, poor livestock products, poor shelter condition, and acute food shortage among the displaced and the local poor, the team recommends the following.

1. An immediate distribution of food for the displaced 2,541 households (17,787 people) and up to 35% of the local poor 3,350 HHs (23,450 people) beginning in May for three and six months respectively.

2. Distribution of plastic sheets to cover shelters for 2,541 displaced HHs.

3. Distribution of blankets for the displaced HHs.

4. After assessing the need additional distribution of jerry-cans might be considered.

2 Household Food Economy Analysis, July 1998, SCF-UK.

9 List of Participants:

Name Organization Position

1. Mohamoud Dhahir Regional Agr. Bureau Animal health & marketing head 2. Abdi Ugaas Mohad Regional DPPB Social sector expert

3. Abdulfetah Saiid Regional Health B. Family Planning Expert

4. Kedir Abdi Harshin Woreda Agr. Office Head

5. Dr. Tahir S.Abdul kadir Harshin Woreda Ag. Office Veterinarian

6. Adane Dessie SCF-UK Nutrition Monitor

7. Faisa Abdulahi Oxfam-GB Social Promoter

8. Samuel Tasew MSF- Belgium Nutrition surveyor

9. Eshetu Wube CARE-Jiijiga Project Officer

10. Moges Tefera CARE-Addis CEFIS Field Officer

10