DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT , POST SHORT RAINS 2021 , , , , TANA RIVER, TURKANA, COUNTIES

For further information, please contact: ACTED Country Director, Jean-Baptiste HÉRAL [email protected] POST SHORT RAINS 2021 DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT: OVERVIEW

Overall, the number of people considered to be in need of immediate humanitarian assistance has increased by about 90% from 739,000 in August 2020 to 1,425,000 in February 2021. In the pastoralist counties, the population in need almost doubled between August 2020 and the current season. Additionally, the ASAL counties have recorded significantly higher number of people in Integrated Phase Classification 3 (IPC Phase 3) or worse. With the performance of the 2021 long-rains season (March-May) forecasted to be poor, the humanitarian situation will most likely worsen and these numbers may increase towards August 2021 (NDMA, 2021).

METHODOLOGY & APPROACH KEY DEMOGRAPHICS ASSESSED COUNTIES LIMITATIONS With the onset of a anticipated drought crisis in Kenya's ASAL Majority of the respondents (83%) were male and As data was collected using KIIs, it counties, ACTED and partners (Concern, Oxfam, ALDEF, 17% female with 93% being Rural while the rest should be stressed that the figures MIDP, PACIDA, PGI, RACIDA, WASDA and SAPCONE) (7%) Urban respondents from host communities. provided here should not be considered conducted a Drought Needs Assessment between 11th – 24th Across all the counties, sixty-five (65%) of as statistically representative of the February 2021 covering 7 ASAL counties namely, Mandera, respondents considered themselves as assessed populations, either at the site Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River, Wajir, and Garissa. pastoralists; 14%, agro-pastoralists with a few level or sub-county and county levels. Overall, the assessment covered 29 sub-counties and 86 (5%) considering themselves crop farmers. About Nonetheless, the findings of this villages sites, yielding a total of 147 KIIs with key resource 14% of the respondents engage in other forms of assessment are meant to provide an persons, mainly community leaders (52%), elders (12%), livelihood activities such casual labor to meet accurate portrayal of the realities on the religious leaders (10%), host community members (17%), their household needs. Respondents reported a ground and thus, should be considered Women leaders (7%) and camp management committee total population of 104,246 households as generalizations more broadly of the members (2%). (approximately 668,281 people) for all sites overall and immediate circumstances assessed across the counties. Pregnant and and issues facing the communities Due to time and resource constraints, two (2) KIIs and in a lactating women (62%) were reported as the where respondents were interviewed. few cases one (1) KII were conducted per site assessed. KIIs highest among the most vulnerable population were guided using structured questionnaires delivered segments, followed by female-headed households Another limiting factor is that, in the through face-to-face and in some instances, phone interviews (21%). Other vulnerable populations reported interests of a timely deployment and surveys that used an Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile-based include persons with disabilities/chronically ill due to limited availability of resources application and hand-held mobile devices/smartphones. (11%) and child-headed households (6%). for conducting this assessment, field teams did not engage in deeper Table 1: Breakdown of KII Site Assessments by County investigation through the semi- County # of KIIs Percent of Total KIIs List of assessed sub-counties: structured qualitative interviews. Garissa 18 12% GARISSA: Fafi, Garissa, Mbalambala Isiolo 18 12% ISIOLO: Garbatula, Isiolo, Merti However, ACTED and partners relied on Mandera 36 25% MANDERA: Banissa, , Mandera East, North, West, South some of the general observations from Marsabit 24 16% MARSABIT: Laisamis, , North Horr, Saku field level staff teams to provide Tana River 19 13% TANA RIVER: Bura, Galole, Garsen additional contextual references with TURKANA: Loima, Turkana Central, East, South Turkana 8 6% regard to the overall findings herein. Wajir 24 16% WAJIR: Eldas, Tarbaj, Wajir East, Notrh, South, West The map above shows the counties covered during the assessment. 147 100% - 1 - ACTED DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT –KENYA, FEB 2021 POSTFEBRUARY SHORT 2021 RAINS DROUGHT 2021 DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT: NEEDS ASSESSMENT WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE (WASH)

Water point is not Produces enough water for Water point is under strain functioning drinking 78% 75% 14%

WASH: WATER ACCESS Respondents identified a total of 234 water points - of these, only 78% were functioning while 75% were Graph 1 (next left) shows a breakdown of the sources of water identified by respondents—with the most prevalent sources of under strain. In total, 91% of respondents felt that the availability of water WOULD NOT improve over the water being boreholes (24%) and unprotected shallow wells (20%). Bottles (1%) and water tracking (3%) made up a small next 1 month; while 77% felt that water availability would not improve within the next 3 months indicating proportion of water sources reported. only a few (14%) anticipate improvement in water availability between the next 1 to 3 months. Water access WASH: SANITATION remains a big challenge; respondents reported that 86% of the water points did not produce sufficient water for drinking and 89% did not produce sufficient water for any other purpose as well. Majority (85%) of the assessed sites had latrines. However, these sites had few latrines. According to respondents’ estimates, the average number of users per latrine across all sites was 215 people per latrine with the exception Respondents reported that the average household water consumption dropped by up to 58%; from an of one outlier – a site with only two latrines for a population of 3500 households. Graph 2 below provides a cross- average of 8.4 20L jerry cans to 3.5 jerry cans per day per household as a result of water shortages. This section of respondent estimates of the overall latrine access and use across the counties. Overall, only 12% and signifies a reduction from around 27L to almost 12L per person per day on average which is below 15% were reported as “useable” and “accessible” respectively. Consequently, nearly two-thirds (61%) of the recommended Sphere Standard of 15L per person per day. Moreover, respondents indicated that on an community members practice open defecation. average, only 21% of the households in their communities have sufficient water containers.

GRAPH 1: SOURCES OF WATER GRAPH 2: SANITATION/ LATRINE STATUS 79 Wajir 3% 28% 7% 34% 28% 66 71 59 61 56 61 47 50 48 48 50 45 Turkana 6.3% 6.3% 18.8% 6.3% 6.3% 25% 31% 42 41 42 37 28 32 32 29 32 25 23 21 26 22 Tana River 5% 2% 45% 32% 16% 20 15 18 1 5 Marsabit 6% 12.5% 12.5% 6% 19% 44% Garissa Isiolo Mandera Marsabit Tana River Turkana Wajir Grand Total Mandera 3% 12% 12% 12% 10% 10% 7% 34%

Isiolo 5% 10% 9% 17% 14% 12% 2% 14% 17% % of Usable latrine % of community members who can access latrine % of community who practice open defecation % of community who can access soap Garissa 8% 8% 28% 33% 17% 6% Water Tracking Bottle NGO Water Tracking Reservoir Private Water River Stream Protected Shallow Well Water Kiosk In general, respondents reported deficiencies regarding the current conditions of the latrines. Less than 2% of Surface Water Unprotected Shallow Well Borehole the latrines are gender segregated; and only 3.5% of latrines have lighting at night raising safety and protection concerns. Additionally, only around 17% of the latrines have locking mechanism. - 3 - ACTED DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT –KENYA, FEB 2021 POST SHORT RAINS 2021 DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT POPULATION MOVEMENT & FOOD SECURITY 95%

RESPONDENTS ESTIMATING % OF RESIDENTS ABLE TO MEET FOOD NEEDS of Respondents Identify the shortage of water during the Between 35 to 50% of short rains as contributing the food shortages and More than 50% of residents Less Than 35% of residents residents general deterioration in food security 2% 12% 86%

POPULATION MOVEMENT: FOOD SECURITY: FOOD SOURCES All counties experienced population movements in the last 3 months with a More than half of respondents felt that the food security situation deteriorated either & CASH PROGRAMMING: majority (78%) of respondents reporting displacements in the assessed sites. significantly or slightly in the last one month (67%), and over the past three months (69%). Respondents reported three (3) primary food and respondents all (100%) reported most of the The deterioration is attributed to the droughts that impacted agriculture (low yields, crop sources: food purchase (46%); own livestock displacements, followed by Mandera (47%) and Tana River (58%). The failure) and animal production as animal pasture diminished. Most respondents indicate food production (33%); and own agricultural displacements were mainly attributed to loss of livelihood as a result of the availability and accessibility is under strained across all counties with 86% of respondents production (7%). Other (14%) food sources drought (74%); other causes of displacements reported include conflict, reporting that less than 35% of the population are regularly able to meet their food needs. reported were labor paid with food in-kind, food general livelihood loss and other reasons as shown in Graph 3 below. Generally, respondents seemed to anticipate that the food security situation would either aid or food for work and charity or food loans. One third (38%) of the respondents reported that the displacements have led deteriorate (65%) or not change (35%) in the next 1-3 months as result of the prolonged A third of respondents (34%) also reported to creation of new sites; and none of these new sites are well equipped with drought. changes in food sources in the past 3 months, basic services. The most pressing needs reported in the newly created sited due to food price inflation and as a result of the include food, water, health care and shelter. On average, 407HHs have arrived Most respondents (82%) reported markets are accessible with 77% of the markets being droughts impacting livelihoods and food in the last 3 months across the 7 counties. Marsabit and Turkana reported available all year long. However, it was observed continued food prices inflation which makes production. the highest new arrivals of 839HHs and 340HHs respectively. Consequently, it increasingly difficult to purchase foods where 86% of respondents reported current food prices had increased compared to the previous month. This is further compounded by the on average 169HHs left the across the assessed counties; Turkana reported the About a third of respondents (32%) identified unavailability or shortages of many common staples at the markets. Half (50%) of respondents highest number of departures in the 3 months. the presence of cash assistance or programming reported the droughts as being the main challenge for communities to meet their food needs. GRAPH 3 : REASONS FOR DISPLACEMENT (cash for work, unconditional cash or food vouchers) in their respective site in the last three Overall 74% 19% 5% 2% GRAPH 4: MAIN CHALLENGES COMMUNITIES FACE IN MEETING THEIR FOOD NEED months, notably in Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir 96% 4% (SHARE OF RESPONDENTS) 50% 47% Marsabit, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir. Turkana 75% 12.5% 12.5% Tana River 9% 82% 9% LIVELIHOODS: PASTORALISM 18% 16% 14% Marsabit 67% 14% 19% 7% Most respondents reported pastoral (65%) and 3% 1% 1% 1% Mandera 47% 53% agro-pastoral (15%) livelihoods as the primary income source of households from the assessed Isiolo 94% 6% Drought/ Affordability Food Reduced Food price Locust Low crop Dependent Covid-9 Floods/ crop Garissa 100% poor of food/ low scarcity/ livestock increase invasion / procuction on food aid restrictions destruction sites. Depletion of pastureland for grazing over the previous 6 months as result of the drought Loss of livelihood due to drought Other Conflict General Livelihood Loss (Other) rainfalls income market production pesticide accessibility infestation was high and ubiquitous across the counties as Note: Graph 3 excludes the percentage of respondents (2%) who did not report any population displacement in their location on farms 84% of the respondents reported. (n=32). - 2 - ACTED DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT –KENYA, FEB 2021 POSTFEBRUARY SHORT 2021 RAINS DROUGHT 2021 DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT: NEEDS ASSESSMENT LIVELIHOOD IMPACT: PASTORALISM & AGRICULTURE PROTECTION & SAFETY HUMANITARIAN ACTORS & IMMEDIATE NEEDS

GRAPH 6: CITED PROTECTION SERVICES AVAILABLE Nearly two-thirds of the respondents (63%) GRAPH 5: RESPONDENTS WHO BELIEVE PASTORALISTS MOVED FROM THEIR estimated that between 75 and 100% of Overall 52% 28% 2% 8% 10% 1% AREA TO OTHER LOCATIONS IN SEARCH OF PASTURE AND WATER pastureland had been depleted, while around 23% Wajir 96% of respondents indicated that between 50 and 75% Turkana 75% 25% 100% 100% 89% 88% of pastureland for grazing was depleted. The 81% 75% 63% 61% Tana River 53% 58% primary two causes of depletion lack of rains (90%), Marsabit 8% 13% 17% 4% 29% and desert locust invasion (67%), followed by OVERALL Isiolo Wajir Garissa Marsabit Turkana Tana River Mandera Mandera 36% 3% excessive grazing (36%). Isiolo 50% 33% 6% LIVELIHOODS: AGRICULTURE Garissa 72% Across all counties, 81% of respondents reported pastoralists were moving more in search of pasture Over the last 2 months, the current agricultural performance was reported either not to Community Based Protection Committee GBV Awareness Activities have changed due to few usual agricultural activities, or to be overall highly affected by Family Tracing & Reunification Child Protection Case Management and water (see Graph 5 at right). Respondents were GBV Case Management Child Friendly Space asked if these population movement created any desert locust infestation, low rainfalls or floods (Fafi county). Women Friendly Space Support for Persons With Disabilities Psychological Support (Mental Health Care) tension at the community level where they have When asked about the previous long-rain growing season, a vast majority of been moving into to. Nearly half of respondents respondents reported experiencing crop failure (66%). A majority of respondents (76%) GOVERNANCE: (45%) identified that tensions were increasing at also felt that there was a future threat of crop failure anticipated for the 2021 harvest Overall, key informants were able to identify the existence of committees community level as result of the pastoralist moved – following this year’s long rains. established at the sites. Most reported the presence of village committees with all or almost all of KIs from Isiolo (100%), (84%), followed by women committees (52%), elder meetings (44%) and Garissa (94%) and Marsabit (86%) citing increased Of those reporting crop failure occurring or being anticipated, majority attributed it to youth committees (43%). However, half of respondents report the inter-communal tensions. the past and prolonged droughts, followed by desert locust infestation. communities not to receive enough information on humanitarian services. Furthermore, livestock losses were reported as Lastly, 46% of respondents report the existence of a complaints and PROTECTION & SAFETY: prevalent by 55% of respondents in their locations, response mechanism, mainly managed by the community leaders. with Garissa, Turkana and Wajir indicating highest Overall, key informants were able to identify the existence of protection-related HUMANITARIAN ACTORS & IMMEDIATE NEEDS: livestock losses (100%). Livestock diseases, lack of structures, services and activities across all the counties. Community-based protection water and pasture were cited as the main causes of committees were the most cited (52%) followed by GBV awareness activities (28%). Family Despite 32% of respondents reported previous cash assistance in the past 3 livestock loss. Livestock disease, reported by 60% of tracking and reunification, child protection case management, child and women friendly months, and the protection services reported above, all respondents (100%) respondents, is mainly due to lack of feed in result spaces and mental health care were the least cited as shown in graph 6. Turkana and Tana still believed humanitarian actors and assistance lacked in their county. of the droughts (80%) and desert locusts (51%). River counties reported presence of a majority of the protection services while Wajir and Food & cash (92%), Water (73%), Sanitation facilities (34%) and Health Mandera had the least services reported. (31%) were identified as the most immediate needs of communities across all counties. - 4 - ACTED DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT –KENYA, FEB 2021 POST SHORT RAINS 2021 DROUGHT NEEDS ASSESSMENT KEY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

KEY FINDINGS: RECOMMENDATIONS: • Drought conditions and lack of rains have placed immediate strain on water assets, • Rapid response to alleviate stressed household food security and livelihoods should focus on cash-based assistance to cushion the vulnerable water access and livelihoods related to livestock. households against further deterioration and facilitate recovery. Other livelihood supports should be prioritized so as to protect household livelihood assets, these include livestock fodder, veterinary services etc. • Displacement has been marked by increases in IDP new arrivals at sites and with out- migration of pastoralist communities in search of water and pasture for livestock. All • Rehabilitation of existing and/or construction of new water assets should be implemented to restore and increase water availability and access respondents in Isiolo and Turkana (100%) counties reported population displacement. for the communities. As water access remains below SPHERE standards, water asset rehabilitation should be prioritized in order to reduce the Displacements led to the creation of new camps, with limited access to basic services. number of households reliance on unprotected and unsafe water sources and to increase overall supply of water from existing assets. Construction of water assets in Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit and Tana River sites in which more than 85% of the water points are under strain. • Loss of livestock and strain on pastoral livelihoods due to drought conditions persists Rehabilitation of water assets in Garissa, Isiolo and Tana River sites in which a quarter or more of water points are not functioning. negatively impacting household level resilience, income and food security—particularly regarding household water access and availability. • Water supply activities should be complemented with community level hygiene sensitization sessions as it would be crucial for raising awareness on importance of hygiene and sanitation among the residents including importance and methods of water treatment at household level. • Agriculture activities were also reported to have been adversely affected by the compounded effects of the drought and desert locust infestations. Past and anticipated • Distribution of hygiene kits in Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River and Wajir counties in which less than 30% of the population have water crop failure was mainly reported by respondents in Garissa and Isiolo. containers. This will further complement the hygiene sensitization campaigns; availing WASH items to the vulnerable households and support the behavioral change initiative in the community hence facilitating better WASH outcomes. • Water assets and hygiene facilities are also under stress and are also limited in access, in a state of disrepair and few in number leading to high number of users per • Latrine rehabilitation/construction to mitigate the widespread practice of open defecation and the limited access to latrines in the assessed areas. functioning assets such as latrine. Construction of gender disaggregated latrines and handwashing stations should also be prioritized.

• In addition, market price instability (price inflation) for basic and staple • Construction of latrines notably in Isiolo, Mandera, Tana River and Turkana sites in which less than 30% have access to latrines commodities has contributed to food insecurity. Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Tana River and Turkana counties had the highest share of respondents believe the food security • Rehabilitation of latrines in Isiolo, Marsabit, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir sites in which less than 50% of the latrines are usable. In situation will deteriorated significantly in the past 3 months. Wajir and Isiolo county these sites, less than 2% of the latrines are well-lit and thus could benefit from installation of solar lights. Moreover, less than a quarter respondents had less than 35% of the population able to regularly meet their food of the latrines in these sites have a locking mechanism needs, followed by Tana River Mandera and Marsabit counties. • The newly created sites (Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir*), should be provided with basic services mainly in need of • While committees were reported to exist in the assessed sites, only 50% of food, water supply, cash and shelter. respondents reported they were well aware of humanitarian services and only 46% reported the existence of a complaints and response mechanism, mainly managed by * An exhaustive list of the newly created sites is available upon request the community leaders. ACTED HQ office: ACTED Office: 33 rue Godot de Mauroy, 75009 Paris, France Jean-Baptiste Héral (Country Director) Tel: +33 1 42 65 33 33 Fourth Floor, Kalamu House, Grevillea Grove, Off Brookside Drive Westlands –Nairobi - 5 - [email protected] [email protected]