RAINS STABILIZE PASTORALIST DECLINE IN KENYA

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001804 SIPDIS AIDAC AFDROUGHT SIPDIS STATE FOR EPRATT USAID/W FOR AA/DCHA, WGARVELINK, LROGERS DCHA/OFDA FOR GGOTTLIEB, PMORRIS, CGOTTSCHALK, KCHANNELL DCHA/FFP FOR JDWORKEN AFR/EA FOR JBORNS, KNELSON USUN FOR EMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER ROME FOR FODAG GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID KE SUBJECT: RAINS STABILIZE PASTORALIST DECLINE IN KENYA Summary ¶1. The arrival of the long rains in Kenya's Garissa and Wajir districts have stabilized the dramatic decline in pastoralist livelihoods experienced in recent months. However, humanitarian interventions remain necessary to ensure both short- and long-term recovery. Potential interventions should aim to build resiliency among Kenya's pastoralist population continually affected by drought by promoting diversification of herd composition, enhancing animal health services, and encouraging early sale of animals before prices drop due to poor body conditions during a drought. End summary. USAID Assessment Trip ¶2. From April 14 to 17, a USAID assessment team traveled to Garissa and Wajir district in Kenya?s North Eastern Province to assess the impact of drought conditions on pastoralist livelihoods and food security. The team included the USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor for East and Central Africa, the USAID/OFDA Agriculture and Food Security Advisor, and the USAID/FFP Kenya Backstop. The visit to Kenya followed a trip to drought-affected areas of Ethiopia by the USAID/OFDA Agriculture and Food Security Advisor and the USAID/FFP Kenya Backstop, allowing for comparisons to be made between the two countries. A separate cable will present the team's findings regarding access to water and potential interventions. Long Rains Begin ¶3. The long rains season for the pastoralist areas including Garissa and Wajir districts began in early April, confirmed during the assessment. The team noted evidence of patchy rains in the form of surface water, regenerated browse, and sprouting grasses throughout the districts. Continual rains are necessary in the pastoral areas to ensure groundwater recharge and to fully regenerate pasture. At the time of the assessment, browse for camels and goats was regenerating well; however, grasses for cattle were still very sparse. High Rates of Animal Mortality ¶4. The team observed significant numbers of animal carcasses throughout the assessment in Garissa and Wajir districts. Although pastoralists reported losing up to 90 percent of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, all of the carcasses were cattle. Cattle are least able to resist drought due to considerable water needs and limited food choice. Pastoralists also reported a temporary surge in animal mortality after the first rains when already weakened animals succumbed to illness or poor condition. ¶5. Discussions with pastoralists in the livestock market near Ifo refugee camp and at water points in Sarif and Dadajabura revealed losses of 60 to 90 percent. Among these were predominately cattle, but communities also reported some camel losses, a sign of the severity of the drought. Most agreed that they had not seen drought conditions or similar degrees of animal loss since the early 1990s. ¶6. Animal carcasses were regularly left where the animal falls or pulled to the roadside. Communities made little attempt to dispose of carcasses or separate water points and carcasses in the areas visited. Diseased animals present risks to animal health through potential spread of diseases to remaining animals. ¶7. Informal discussions in Dadajabura community revealed a recent increase in diahrreal illnesses among children. Community members speculated that there was connection between the dead animals, contaminated water, and the children?s health. They stated that no one had done anything to help them with the carcasses. Sensitization on the need to dispose of carcasses and mobilization of communities to do so, perhaps through pastoralist associations, are key. One method of disposal is the burning of carcasses; however, access to sufficient fuel may be an issue. USAID partner CARE, based in Dadaab, claimed to have burned and estimated 5,000 carcasses in recent weeks and appeared to be the only organization currently undertaking this task. ¶8. The extent and coverage of animal health services in the region are unclear. Although the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO) funded vaccination campaigns covering an estimated 1.6 million cattle in Kenya in 2005, access to regular veterinary health services and vaccinations appeared minimal. In neighboring Ethiopia significant attention is being given to raising capacity of community animal health workers and to providing services. Migration, Returns, Trucking, Resource Conflicts ¶9. According to the USAID-supported Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET),the migration radius during the drought reached up to 100 km, signifying that some pastoralists would have crossed borders between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia in search of pasture and water. Discussions with Kenyan herders in Ethiopia indicated that they kept a close watch on rains back home and intended to return when pasture and water became available. With news of the recent rains, pastoralists may begin to return soon. Humanitarian organizations should take this into consideration when planning interventions in the drought-affected areas. ¶10. Not all animal owners were equally affected by the drought, which is important when targeting beneficiaries for recovery programming. Some were able to truck animals to better pasture or to feeding pen arrangements. The cost for this was well beyond most pastoralists' means. One owner who used this method paid 2,000 Kenyan Shillings (KSh) ? approximately 30 U.S. Dollars (USD) ? per cow for transportation and 830 KSh - 12 USD ? per cow per month for grass and grains. The owner will also pay the the cost of a herder to watch the animals and migrate with them back to traditional grazing areas. ¶11. In Garissa District, grazing land and water resources are under intense pressure as the Somalian refugee population of nearly 150,000 graze animals on the same land as the host community. According to CARE, which works with both communities, this remains a potential source of friction and should be monitored. Surprisingly, in discussions with refugees near the Ifo camp livestock market, some mentioned having herds of 100 camels, a significant number and an indication of the herd sizes that some of the refugees may own. CARE estimates that for each Somali refugee in the camp, there are 50 animals. Reduced Resiliency ¶12. Although the rains are coming and both pasture and animal body condition are improving, pastoralists continue to face significant challenges. Much of their asset base has been depleted as a result of successive droughts. Moreover, the low price of livestock in the markets has left them with few income generating options. While the animals which remain will soon gain strength with the improved pasture, full recovery of pastoralist livelihoods will be lengthy. Animal condition and prices will take several months to improve, and animal herds will need years to restock. Recommendations ¶13. Disposal of carcasses is an important issue for ensuring water quality for human health and for reducing transmission of animal diseases to other animals. Identifying best practices for this task and promoting the selected method through pastoralist associations and others community groups, such as water associations, would enhance human and animal health. ¶14. Any interventions aimed at pastoralists should consider improving the long-term resiliency of pastoral livelihoods. This can be done by spreading risk through diversification of herd composition, increasing animal health through vaccination and basic health interventions, and encouraging early sale of animals before prices drop due to poor condition and to reduce pressure on over-grazed and over-populated range lands. All interventions should take into account the carrying capacity of the land and the frequency of low rainfall years. ¶15. In addition, although many livelihood options cannot be supported in the harsh climate of the pastoral areas, pilot programs aimed at identifying and promoting alternatives should be supported where possible. Conclusion ¶16. The arrival of the long rains has stabilized the situation for pastoralists in Garissa and Wajir districts. Future interventions should be based on an analysis of how the rainy season progresses. Interventions must look to mitigate the impact of cyclical droughts by increasing stability of livelihoods and resiliency of vulnerable populations. BELLAMY