Arid Lands Resource Management Project Drought Early Warning System

Drought Monitoring Bulletin: District: Period June 2006

Division(s) Stages Trend Ijara Alert Improving Masalani Alert Improving Sangailu Alert Improving Hulugho Alert Improving District Alert Improving

MAP OF IJARA DISTRICT

IJARA DISTRICT KEY r Water points N # Centers and Markets Ri ver

Ilkabere Road class Bull a Golol 2 3 Gu bi s Inter_bnd Bura Ga rabe y # Coastal belt Galmagala Kolbio Hulugho # Protected areas Masabubu Alluvial plains # Wakabharey Drought Monitors Ri ver Tana Koranhindi Sangailu Discrete Development Areas Sangailu Hulugho Bo undary

DDA Matta-arba Warsame Hadi

Liv elihood Zone Arawal e Sangole Handaro Hola ## Ijara Ge di lu n Pumwani Gababa Ruqa Ijara Mararani No10 #Ijara Bulla-wacha #

Masalani Ge r il l e Dar Es Salaam Bull a-Golol # r Dololo e

v Muhumed-Dahir Kai njonja

R # r a

n Kiunga r # Jalish Bodhai Ta Mangai Masalani r # Qu r amadh a r Hara

Bodhei # Dodori Kori sa Majengo # Primate Bull a Warade Kotil e 0 1020304050Kilometers Abalatiro OriginalO rsource:iginal S oCentralurce: C Bureauentral B uofre Staau tistics.of Stati sALticRMPs. Ter doesra Nu notova guaranteedoes not gur thatan tthiseed mapto be is cor accurate,rect, accur correctate or orco mcompletplete. e and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions or consequences arising from its use Terra Nuova assumes no responsibility to use for the consequences of any errors or omission.

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SITUATION HIGHLIGHTS

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS 9 Light coastal showers were experienced in areas adjacent to Boni forest in the first two weeks of the month. 9 The pasture and browse are abundantly available at least in all the divisions.

RURAL ECONOMY INDICATORS

9 The livestock body condition is fair for all categories virtually in all the divisions.

HUMAN WELFARE INDICATORS

9 There was no out break of diseases reported in the entire district in the month under review. 9 The, availability of milk for consumption in some divisions had improved while some have reduced as indicated in the table below.

9 There were no cases of insecurity reported in the entire district in the month under review. 9 The average malnutrition rate of children under five years at risk levels in the entire district had improved when compared with preceding month. The rate is 15.6%

OVERALL TREND ASSESSMENT Generally the drought situation in the entire district is alert and improving

1.0 ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

1.1 Rainfall • Light coastal showers were received in all the divisions in the first two weeks of the month. This was followed by a spell of dry cool and windy weather in the entire district. The trend was not normal when compared with same period in previous seasons as the district used to receive continues and heavy coastal showers. However it had positive impact on the food security since there was plenty of pasture and browses regenerated following the same and favoured livestock body condition that improved production and market prices.

1.2 Vegetation covers (pasture and browse) ƒ The browse and pasture conditions in all the divisions had improved both in quantity and quality since the on set of the long rains in early April. It had a positive impact on livestock body condition which had resulted an instant improvement on production in terms of meat and market prices ƒ The observed trend is normal at such time of the season since browse and pasture are supposed to be improved. The trend had positive impact on food security since livestock production in terms of milk, meat and market value had shown considerable improvement.

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1.3 Water sources

1.3.1 Use of water sources

There was no water stress reported in the month in the entire district as most of the medium, large water pans and natural ponds contained substantial volumes of water that were anticipated to sustain pastoralists in the next four weeks.

It was observed that the trend was normal when compared with the same period in previous years as the long rain filled most of the water pans with substantial volumes of water.

1.3.2 Average distance (Kms) to water sources

ƒ The average distance to water sources from grazing areas was 2 km ƒ The trend is normal for such season of the year and had positive impact on food security.

The table below indicates return distance to water sources by division

Division Km SANGAILU 1 MASALANI 1 HULUGHO 3 IJARA 1 AVERAGE 2

2. RURAL ECONOMY INDICATORS

2.1 Livestock production

2.1.1 Livestock body condition

ƒ The livestock body conditions of all categories of livestock in all the division was good although there was high prevalence rate of tsetse fly in the entire district which have compromised the health status of the animals at large. At the same time the livestock production and prices have also improved in some areas following the rains. The trend had positive impact on the household food security as milk was available to children under five years

3 2.1.2 Livestock diseases. The diseases that are prevalent and affect livestock in all the divisions are as follows: -

ƒ Cattle -CBPP, Black quarter anthrax, and Trypanosomiasis caused by tsetse fly ƒ Sheep-Helthminthiasis, sheep introtoxicimea ƒ Tsetse fly and tick infestation are major threats to livestock in the district. Generally the diseases have negatively impacted on food security in all the divisions as the pastoralists invest most of their income on expensive veterinary drugs at the expense of human health.

2.1.3 Prices (Ksh) ƒ Cattle prices in Sangailu and Hulugho divisions had decreased while Ijara and Masalani had increased. In addition to this Shoat prices in all the divisions had increased except sheep in Masalani and Hulugho

(a) Cattle prices The average prices of cattle prices in Sangailu and Hulugho divisions had decreased while Ijara and Masalani had increase. The trend is not normal as prices were supposed to be higher than what is indicated in the table below. However, it had positively contributed to food security.

The table below indicates cattle prices per division from July 2005 to June 2006

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 20066 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Masalani 4325 4670 4905 4625 4940 5243 4867 3821 4527 4996 5164 5258

Ijara 5020 5100 5875 4771 5750 7043 5046 4600 4700 5033 6700 6000

Sangailu 5596 5712 5972 6379 5757 6969 6336 4350 5450 4819 7006 7248

Hulugho 4262 4400 - 4653 3977 3927 3789 3773 3780 3881 4075 4300

District 4801 4970.5 5584 5,107 5106 5796 5009 4136 4614 4682 5736 5701 average

(b) Goats Overall the average prices of goats in all the divisions had increased which may be attributed to improved body condition following the rains received and the other factor was that the animals presented to the market for sale for the month were very few as the pastoralists conserve their animals in this period for growth .This led to competition among the traders which in turn resulted to increased prices of the animals .The trend is normal for such period of the year and had positive impact on food security since households had enough income to access food at affordable price .

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The table below indicates goat prices per division

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Masalani 968 1050 1015 921 910 1406 983 1000 966 982 800 1098

Ijara 717 1057 850 981 872 1156 1193 1206 950 1450 1470 1483 Sangailu 841 881 890 891 880 950 1044 1200 568 982 1050 1095 Hulugho 829 880 - 964 962 850 823 916 907 920 862 876

District 840 967 918 940 906 1091 1011 1081 814 1007 1045 1138 average

(c) Sheep

The average prices of sheep in the entire district decreased in the month under review when compared with preceding month. This may be attributed to the fact t number of sheep presented to the market for sale was high with the resultant low competition causing a decline in the prices. The trend was not normal as the prices of sheep were supposed to rise at this time of the season. This had a negative impact on food security

The table below indicates sheep prices per division

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

Masalani 710 700 755 600 640 630 505 403 430 450 570 548

Ijara 670 740 700 671 692 680 546 918 700 900 650 780

Sangailu 758 786.70 735 706 650 717 876 750 730 1000 650 -

Hulugho 830 763 - 938 831 747 754 908 767 822. 788 727

District 701 764 730 729 703 693 671 642 644 794 662 685 average

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2.2 Food prices

Prices of foodstuffs remained stable during month under review and are as indicated in the following tables.

2.2.1 Maize

There was no change in the price of maize in the entire district when compared with the previous month except in Masalani division where it had increased.. . This may be attributed to the on-going relief food distribution by GOK. The trend was not normal for such time of year as the prices were expected to be high. The observed trend had a positive impact on food security.

The table below shows maize prices per division

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Masalani 17 15 14 13 13 15 20 15 14.0 14 19 16

Ijara 19 16 15 13 13 18 10 10 - 11 12 12

Sangailu 19. 16 14 13 15 16 13 12 - - 14 -

Hulugho 20 17 - 15 16 17 18.5 17 13.0 11. 0 15 15 District 18 16 14 13. 14 17 16.3 14 13.5 12 15 14

2.2.2 Rice The average prices of rice in all the divisions had increased because of low commodity availability in most of the trading centers occasioned by the recent rains that made roads impassable. This had led to high demand of the stuff thus causing the prices to increase. The trend is normal in this time of the season and had a negative impact on household food security. The table below shows rice prices per division

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr2 May June 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 006 2006 2005

Masalani 45.5 42 42 45 46 46 46 50 44. 40 46 47

Ijara 50 46 46 43 46 46 48 52 - 46 44 49 Sangailu 49.30 49 49 50 50 49 50 50 50.00 50 50 50 Hulugho 50 49 - 49 50 50 48 46 47.00 48 49 50 District 48.70 46 44. 46 48 48 48 49 47.10 47 47 49 average

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2.2.3 Sifted maize meal The average price of sifted maize meal in the entire district remained stable during month under review. The trend had positive impact on household food security since more households could access this preferred food commodity owing to reduction in its price.

The table below shows sifted maize meal prices per division

Division Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 Masalani 33 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30.00 30 31 30 Ijara 30 30 30 30 30 30 32 33 - 35 37 34 Sangailu 32 30 30 30 30 30 34 30 30.00 31 32 35 Hulugho 36 34 - 30 30 30 30 30 30.00 32. 34 35 District 33 31 30 30 30 30 32 31 30.00 32.00 34 33 average

3. HUMAN WELFARE INDICATORS 3.1 Milk consumption The availability of milk for consumption in Hulugho and Masalani divisions has slightly reduced while an improvement was noted in Sangailu and Ijara divisions in the month under review. The trend is not normal when compared with same period of previous years as milk was supposed to be available to all categories persons in pastoralists’ households. It had a negative impact on household food security.

DIVISION CHILDREN EVERYONE NO BODY ONLY SANGAILU 72% 3.4% 24% MASALANI 61% 14% 25% IJARA 85% 11% 4.3% HULUGHO 48% - 52% AVERAGE 25% 6.5% 15.5%

3.2 Malnutrition (MUAC) rates The table below shows average malnutrition rates (% of children malnourished in the district)

District Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006

At risk 14.4 13.8 14.8 15.4 15.8 16 16.23 16.57 16.84 16.1 16 15.6 (<135mm) (%)

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4.0 OTHER INDICATORS

4.1 Insecurity/conflict

There were no cases of insecurity reported in all the divisions.

4.2 Migration

Satellite and milking herds from all the divisions had migrated to Boni forest, riverine areas and Witu division in Lamu district in search of better pasture and water. At the same time, a high influx of livestock from Garissa district and Somalia have been reported in Hulugho, Sangailu and Ijara divisions thus accelerating the depletion of the already diminishing pasture.

4.3 Coping strategies

Pastoralists are currently adopting the following strategies to cope with the effect of the dry season: -

9 Sales of livestock to purchase foodstuffs and other essential items 9 Sale of bush products 9 Herding and other casual work 9 Migration /satellite herding 9 Remittances 9 Food aid for vulnerable households

5. 0 CURRENT INTERVENTION MEASURES

9 Relief food 9 Vaccination of livestock 9 Provision of human drugs to health facilities 9 Mosquito control campaigns

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 9 Provision of seeds to crop farmers and strengthening of extension services 9 Water quality improvement. 9 Provision of subsidized veterinary drugs 9 Support farmers/pastoralists to Deworm their livestock 9 Mobile outreach health services

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