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Kenya

Meru County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for October 2016

Attachments

Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification

Biophysical Indicators

  • Rainfall onset was reported during the second dekad of the month but in a few pockets. Most areas reported showers towards the end of the month. Amounts received, spatial and temporal distribution were poor across the County

  • Vegetation conditions generally declines this month compared to last.
    Average Vegetation condition index was 48.85 compared to 54.81 last month. Tigania East and Tigania West Sub-counties reported significant declines. Pasture and browse conditions were poor especially in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

Production indicators

  • Livestock body conditions were largely fair to poor especially in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone

  • Internal migrations of livestock from the grazing areas of Agropastoral livelihood zone into the Rain-fed cropping zone in search of water and pastures was noted. Livestock from Isiolo and Garissa Counties still remained in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone and in the Meru National Park

  • Land preparation and planting was the major farm activity during the month

Access indicators

  • Return watering distances for households was 18 km this month from 19km last month. Livestock covered 8 km compared to 19 km last month

Utilization Indicators

  • 26 percent of sampled children were at risk of malnutrition compared to 24 percent last month.