INTER-AGENCY ASSESSMENT (21-31 DEC,2003) TOGDHEER REGION (HAWD PASTORAL). 21 –31st December, 2003 Table of Contents Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... 3 a) Assessment findings......................................................................................................... 3 d) Recommended Actions ................................................................................................ 4 1) Overview of Togdheer ....................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. a) Area of Concern/ map................................................................................................... 6 b) Society............................................................................................................................. 6 d) Background to the Inter-Agency Emergency Assessment ..................................... 9 e) Objectives....................................................................................................................... 9 f) Area surveyed, participation and methodology ......................................................10 2 Assessment findings......................................................................................................11 Food security...................................................................................................................11 b) Health and nutrition.....................................................................................................15 c) Livestock .......................................................................................................................17 d) Environment .................................................................................................................19 e) Water.............................................................................................................................20 f) Education..........................................................................................................................23 3) Recommendations: short-term; long-term .....................................................................23 Appendix A: Checklists..............................................................................................................30 Appendix B: Project information – wealth groups...................................................................26 Appendix C: Historical Time line...............................................................................................27 Appendix D: Assessment participants .....................................................................................28 2 Executive Summary The rapid assessment mainly covered the areas south of Togdheer, particularly the Hawd Food Economy Zone. Livestock production is the main economic activity providing food, income and employment. A combination of inadequate pastures, livestock diseases, high consumption and disposal has reduced livestock ownership with mortality rates estimated at 40-50% for shoats and 15-20% for camels. The assessment was to study the impact of the current drought on water, pasture, livestock, migration/displacement, food security, health and nutrition. Assessment Findings Wealth group asset ownership has shifted with most wealth groups having experienced asset reduction of about 50% for shoats and 15-20% for camels. Food security: Livestock and livestock products as the major food sources is on the decline. There is nil production and consumption of milk & ghee, with consumption of meat from dying stock contributing a significant food source. Food purchases from the markets have declined because of reduced livestock prices, and increased cost of imported food commodities. Local food production (sorghum and maize) was negligible. It is anticipated that the food security will deteriorate as the drought persists. Households energy intake has reduced. Milk, meat, ghee and other livestock products availability & sales had significantly declined, thus affecting household disposable income with health & nutritional consequences. The communities have coped by migrating to areas that received rains to save the surviving livestock. The drought has reduced the poor households’ food source and income. Livestock deaths are expected to increase during the coming dry season (from January to mid April) due to water and pasture depletion. School dropouts will increase in the affected rural areas. Health: There is limited access to health services though most villages receive the Renewal Health Post kits. Diarrhoeal diseases, measles, whooping cough and ARI where seen to have increased from the normal. Overall, environmental and water sanitation status is poor. There was a slight increase Global Acute Malnutrition compared to the August survey among all groups. Villages that did not receive any rains showed higher incidences. Livestock: Per capita livestock holding is on the decline compared to the baseline. Reproduction rate (conception rate) has significantly declined for all species. Their body condition is poor and weak. There are very limited marketable livestock, particularly by the poor and lower Middle Wealth Groups. High and increasing expenditure for water. 3 There is a higher concentration of livestock in the in-migrated areas with consequent grazing pressures, which contribute further to land degradation. In medium term, pasture and water availability and access will diminish. There was a massive livestock migration into Ethiopia and the Golis Ranges to the north. Slaughtering weak animals. Likely medium to long-term effects if the rains fail would be the collapse of livelihoods as a result of livestock asset loss leading to destitution and massive migration into urban centers. There has been extensive range-land degradation leading to loss of nutritive forage and browse. The establishment of illegal private enclosure has reduced communal grazing land. There is significant tree cutting for charcoal production and for fencing off these enclosures. Gully formations have increased. Water: Berkads and Balleys, complimented by seasonal hand dug wells provide the bulk of human and livestock water requirements. However, access is limited for the poor groups. Generally, the water infrastructure is in poor condition with poor sanitary conditions. The quality of water is poor and deteriorating. Education: The schools’ drop out rate is about 43%, with two schools closed due to severe drought and migration . Recommendations Food security: Targeted Emergency free food distribution between January to May 04- Jilaal. Health and Nutrition: Support with medical supplies for most common human diseases e.g. ARI, diarrhoea, malaria, etc. Vaccination campaign to reduce the incidence of Whooping cough and Measles Health and hygiene Promotion Livestock Immediate interventions: Establishment of mobile Veterinary teams. Vet drug distribution and training of paravets. Relief fodder for animals Short and Long-term intervention: Introducing and/ or re-establishing range management plans such making reserve pasturelands to assist the seasonal grazing of pasture resources. Restocking of the destitute and IDPs in the coming rainy season to help re-establish their normal pastoral livelihoods. Community training and awareness rising on range-land resource utilisation. Encouragement fodder production in agri-lands. Establishment of pastoral associations to carry out range-land resource management. Diversification of pastoral economy (poultry and honey production) Control on charcoal production and the introduction of energy saving stoves. 4 Water Emergency Trucking water for Human and livestock. Chlorinating all water sources. Cleaning campaign/ sanitation awareness for water sources before next rain Medium and long term Rehabilitation of non functioning hand pumps, and providing hand pump spare parts De-silting and rehabilitation of Balleys and dams Identify potential permanent water sources by conducting assessments + geophysical surveys Soil and forestry protection and conservation, including the banning charcoal production and providing alternatives. Education Institute a school-feeding program as a component of the general feeding program. Support to teachers - Capacity building Provide alternative schooling models e.g. mobile schools Flexibility in transfer and admission of students in different regions Support with education and recreation equipment and materials 5 Overview The Togdheer region, with a population of about 350, 0001 people, is one of the largest regions in Somaliland. Its inhabitants are 70-80% pastoralists, 10% agro-pastoral and the reminder settled in urban settlements areas. Livestock production is the main economic activity in the region providing food, income and employment opportunities and the main livestock species reared include shoats, camel and cattle. The rapid assessment mainly covered the south east and south west of Togdheer, particularly the Hawd pastoral Food Economy Zone. This zone is considered as one of the potential wet season grazing area and currently received below normal rains in the last Gu 03 followed by a failure of the Deyr 03 rains (see fig below). The zone’s ecology, aptly described as open savanna grassland characterised by woodland, has been greatly altered by the recurrent and prolonged droughts, overgrazing, deforestation (for charcoal production), and increased sedentazation