IMPACT OF OFDA DROUGHT PROGRAMS IN KENYA.

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002152 SIPDIS AIDAC USAID/DCHA FOR MHESS, WGARVELINK, DCHA/OFDA FOR KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, ACONVERY, KCHANNELL, MBRENNAN DCHA/FFP FOR WHAMMINK, JDWORKEN STATE FOR AF/E, AF/F AND PRM SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL KE SUBJECT: IMPACT OF OFDA DROUGHT PROGRAMS IN KENYA. Summary ¶1. Communities in Kenya's Makueni District are benefiting from USAID/OFDA 2005-2006 drought programming. A combination of newly constructed rainwater harvesting structures, expansion of piped water grids and rehabilitation of boreholes in several communities have improved water quality, increased household consumption and reduced the average distance traveled by residents to procure water. Local district leaders report significant reductions in water-related diseases compared to the 2005-2006 drought period. Training programs, integrated into construction activities, have empowered previously marginalized groups to be more proactive with respect to water management and holding the government more accountable for services. End Summary. ¶2. From April 27 to 28, USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor and Disaster Operations Specialist traveled to the Makueni District to assess the project and participate in handover ceremonies held jointly with local beneficiaries and community leadership. Background ¶3. Erratic rainfall combined with natural resource mismanagement in Kenya's Makueni District negatively impacted food security and prompted the Kenyan government to appeal for emergency drought assistance in December 2005. Makueni infrastructure is severely underdeveloped and the drought's effect on humanitarian conditions had grown beyond the government's capacity to assist. USAID's Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA),through partner German Agro Action (GAA),responded with $1.8 million in drought emergency and mitigation programming that addressed both the short- and long-term water issues for more than 225,000 affected residents(In FY 2006, USAID/OFDA awarded $6.6 million to seven international partners to assist drought affected areas throughout Kenya). ¶4. Two consecutive normal rainy seasons in Makueni District have significantly improved humanitarian indicators. USAID/OFDA partner GAA recently completed construction activities including traditional rock rainwater catchments systems, rainwater roof harvesting schemes at schools and rehabilitation of boreholes in several locations in the district. Local Technologies Key to Resolving Water Issues ¶5. With USAID/OFDA support, GAA constructed 3 rock rainwater catchments and 38 school rainwater collecting systems, added 20 kilometers of pipe to local water distribution systems, and rehabilitated 26 boreholes over the last 24 months (A March 2007 project evaluation by GAA consultants determined that if only 0.03 percent of the area's average annual rainfall was captured, it would provide 20 liters of water per day for every person in the district throughout the year). The construction of 50,000- to 150,000-liter rainwater holding tanks at numerous schools and rock catchments builds upon traditional water harvesting technologies. Once filled, the rainwater reservoirs are able to provide water to schools and communities for several months during seasonal dry periods. ¶6. Villagers reported that the cash for work scheme tied to program construction activities was critical to help overcome the short-term effects of the drought. Women generally composed more than 50 percent of the labor force at each of the construction sites and several women interviewed reported that cash payments for work allowed them to purchase food and other household essentials during the critical period. Improvements in Public Health ¶7. Several village leaders reported that incidents of diarrhea and skin diseases among children have sharply declined when compared to last year's drought period. Bilharzia, historically common during the dry season, has decreased as a result of the new constructions providing an alternative to drawing water directly from Bilharzia-infested rivers. Several representatives from local women's groups reported that families now routinely access as much water as they need daily due to the close proximity of water points and that the additional water, combined with recent training provided by GAA, had improved hygiene practices. Impact of Community Training ¶8. Targeted community training programs attached to the water harvesting construction activities, including training on democracy and governance issues, has challenged tradition in many of the previously drought- affected Makueni communities. Women, comprising more than 50 percent of the construction teams, now make up the majority of members of local water management and maintenance committees and commonly chair the committees. GAA management reported that nascent water committees are increasingly vocal towards local governmental authorities with respect to improved provision of water, health and protection services. Conclusion / Recommendations ¶9. The drought that afflicted the Makueni District in south central Kenya has subsided following concurrent seasons of significant rainfall. ¶10. Rainwater harvesting and storage technologies, including the construction of rock catchment systems, rainwater catchments at schools, and rehabilitation of boreholes can provide enough water to support populations through the annual dry seasons. The interventions are low cost, low tech solutions that provide a high impact on local populations. ¶11. Community training, including training on democracy and governance issues, empowers local groups to negotiate more effectively with authorities for services, improves management and maintenance of the water points, and creates greater participation opportunities for women. ¶12. Although the drought has passed, expanded water harvesting programs in areas of Makueni and neighboring Kitui Districts that have not benefited to date will mitigate the impact of future droughts. The current model is cost effective and sustainable. RANNEBERGER.