Attachments
1.1 Scope of the October-December 2012 short rains food security assessments
The 2012 October to December short rains assessments were carried out from January 28th to February 8th, 2013. The assessments were conducted under the auspices of the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG), jointly by the Government of Kenya (GoK), United Nations (UN), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the District Steering Groups (DSGs).
The goal of the assessment was to provide an objective, evidence-based, and transparent analysis of the food security situation after the 2012 October to December short rains, taking into consideration the cumulative effects of the previous two seasons. Besides, the assessment aimed to provide timely food security prognosis for the March to August 2013 period, considering climate outlook for the long rains 2013 provided by the Kenya Meteorological Department, and also proposed possible options for response in the various food security related sectors for six months, March to August 2013.
The main objective of the assessment was to evaluate the impacts of the 2012 short rains on various sectors including: water quality and access; crop and livestock production; health and nutrition status; markets and trade conditions; education status; and the general food security status at household level. The assessment considered the impact of other hazards, such as flash floods that occurred in localized areas during the short rains, conflicts, crop pests, high food prices and livestock diseases, on household food access and consumption. A total of 28 arid and semi-arid districts situated within five broad livelihood zones, including the northwestern and northeastern pastoral areas, southeastern and coastal marginal agricultural lowlands, and the agro-pastoral livelihood zone were assessed.