INCREASING COST OF BASIC FOOD BASKET THREATENS FOOD SECURITY
Prices for staple foods and non-foods are increasing significantly, with negative impacts on poor households in both rural and urban areas. The food security situation in rural areas remains precarious. There is a need to accelerate the WFP Emergency Operation to the drought-affected population. Pastoralist terms of trade are declining. A continuous rural exodus is observed in the majority of secondary towns, and even in Djibouti city. Animal productivity declined significantly and the current delay of karan/karma rains raises concern for the food security of the livestock dependent rural population. Livelihoods in the Market Gardening Zone are under serious threat. The crop production declined significantly the growing season 2004/05 due to a set of factors related to production (see page 4). Prospects of crop production in the coming season are not promising.
NATIONAL OVERVIEW
Djibouti City Alert
Status: Watch
The livelihood and food security and of poor and very poor households in the city is further deteriorating due to increasing costs of the basket of essential food and non-food items for poorer households during the last three months. Poor households cannot afford to satisfy their basic minimum needs with current prices. This poor food and non-food basket cost is approaching a level where intervention is warranted. Close monitoring of the nutritional status of the children in poor quarters in the city is highly recommended. Poor households in the city are prone to fire outbreaks due the prevailing khamsiin winds.
Southeast Pastoral Zone (Border Sub-Zone)
Alert Status:Warning
The delay in the main karan rains disrupted the normal migration pattern of the rural households in this zone. The physical condition of livestock is unsatisfactory due to poor pasture and browse. A significant number of animals who conceived in May aborted resulting in reduced deliveries in late July. Consequently, milk production declined significantly. Food deficit in this zone persists, and a rural exodus has recently been observed in urban areas (Alisabieh, Aseyla and even Dikhil) due to successive droughts.
(Roadside Sub-Zone)
Alert Status: Warning
The livestock in this zone are currently migrating to Hemed/Karta areas due to recent rains and the existence of dense browse in this zone. However, water is very scarce is this zone. Livestock and people alike usually rely on water tankering. The current provision of water by the government is sufficient but some extra water tanks are recommended. The water containers used by the population are not fit for human health. Camel milk production increased but its sales reduced due to decline in demand.
Central Pastoral Zone
Alert Status: Warning
The decline in animal productivity, together with high staple food prices and the closure of school feeding program, led to a significant food deficit for the poor population in this zone. Tick-borne livestock diseases are increasing. The disease is very serious in camels. The livestock department is trying to contain the outbreak.
Northwest Pastoral Zone
Alert Status: Warning
Both browse and water are very limited. Livestock physical condition is deteriorating. Weima grazing areas from Alaili dada down to Asgeyla are facing a continuous drought. The water level in Adaylou is below normal. Almost all water catchments are dry. Government intensified water pumping in pastoral wells. Animal production is very limited and people are facing a serious food deficit.
Livelihood Zones of Djibouti
Market Gardening Zone
Alert Status: Warning
Crop production this year reduced by 20%, due to lack adequate inputs by 20%, and decreased cultivated areas. Fruit production dropped 50% due to flower shedding of mangoes. This was aggravated by strong winds and showers, which coincided with the flowering period. Pests and diseases caused significant reductions in yields. The production in the coming growing season is expected to further decline if the delay and insufficiency of agricultural inputs persist.
Border Areas of Neighboring Countries
Eritrea
Cereal prices remain very high compared to last year and the recent 5-year average. But if rains continue through September, a good kremti harvest could reduce prices after September. Pasture is beginning to regenerate in border areas hit by the long drought and pastoralist terms of trade are slowly improving.
Source: FEWS NET Eritrea
Ethiopia:
The onset of karan rains in some parts in Shinniile is on time. Animal body conditions are satisfactory. Overall animal productivity is improving in areas borders Djibouti.
FEWS NET Ethiopia /SC-UK
Somalia
Recent Gu'05 crop establishment assessment indicate that the expected cereal production during the 2005 growing season in Somaliland is almost double compared to the average (1998- 2004). This is mainly due to above normal threshold rains during gu and timely onset of karan rains. Cultivated area was increased as well. Therefore the cereal prices are expected to decrease during the coming season in Djibouti. Both water and pasture are adequate in areas adjacent Djibouti. Politico-tribal tensions are increasing in Somaliland due to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Source: FSAU/ FEWS NET Somalia
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