ACTs Kenya Drought and Famine Revised Appeal - AFKE71

Co-ordinating Office
Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide network of Churches and their related agencies meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response and common identity. The ACT network is organizationally based in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the World Council of Churches(WCC) and is a co-ordinating rather than operational office.

Appeal Target : US$ 1,330,800

Geneva, May 5, 1997

Dear Friends,

Kenya continues to suffer from intermittent drought, severely affecting large segments of the marginal and vulnerable population living in many regions of the country. The failure of the short rains in October of 1995 was followed by successive failures of both the long rains in March of 1996 and the short rains of October 1996. This has resulted in widespread crop failures, degradation of rangelands and pastures, significant losses of livestock, reduced availability of cereal grains, malnutrition of children under the age of 5, and lack of available water supplies.

The ACT Co-ordinating office issued the Kenya Drought and Famine Appeal #AFKE71on February 20, 1997. The Appeal target was US$ 4,653,099. The ecumenical response to this emergency appeal has been both positive and encouraging, resulting in contributions of US$ 587,080 as of this date. However, some legitimate concerns were expressed by ACT members concerning the exact severity of the drought situation, the feasibility of accessing sufficient resources for the large appeal target, the capacity of the implementing agencies to successfully carry out such an extensive program, and the need to insure an effective implementation structure for the emergency assistance.

In view of the concerns expressed, the ACT Co-ordinating Office recently conducted an appraisal of the Kenya drought appeal addressing the collective concerns of the ACT network. The appraisal was completed during the period of April 22-30, 1997 and was conducted by a 2 member ACT team comprising Ms.Melkanmesh Alemu (ACT/LWF/DWS Ethiopia) and Mr. Dirk Van Gorp (Emergency Officer- ACT Coordinating Office).

Working together with Implementing Partners ACT/NCCK (National Council of Churches Kenya) and ACT/CCS (Christian Community Services), the appraisal team confirmed and verified the exact drought conditions throughout Kenya at the present time and developed an effective model for implementation of all aspectsof the emergency assistance as described within the appeal. The ACT team conducted the appraisal utilizing agreed upon terms of reference and methodology including unstructured questioning, discussions and meetings with relief committees at all levels, and field visits and discussions with NGOs and agencies active in drought relief.

The ACT appraisal team submitted a final report to the ACT Co-ordinating office on 30 April 1997. This report, which is available on request to all ACT members, contains specific information in response to the issues and concerns reflected within the terms of reference and revision of the Kenya Drought and Famine Appeal.

It is important to note that the revised appeal in no manner alters the objectives and concerns of the original appeal. Rather, due to the concerns and issues raised by ACT Network agencies and addressed through the ACT appraisal team, it became necessary to revise the appeal as follows:

1. To specifically target the most vulnerable beneficiaries and areas of Kenya affected by the drought following a complete appraisal of the current situation.

2. To reduce the appeal target to a more realistic and feasible level of US$1,320, 600, which has been estimated to match the available resources of the ACT Network.

3. To reduce the number of beneficiaries, number of districts, and assistance provided in line with the reduced appeal budget and implementation plan.

4. To ensure the success of the appeal through providing for increased capacity and training within the ACT Implementing Partners.

5. To provide a comprehensive management and implementation plan with the ACT Implementors which will provide targeted emergency relief assistance within a specific time frame.

6. To implement the Appeal*s emergency relief through ACT/NCCK, and ACT/CCS within the targeted areas of Kenya. The Kenyan Methodist Church will work through ACT/NCCK. ACT/UMCOR will provide management and technical assistance through the provision of a "Drought Emergency Manager"secunded to ACT/NCCK and ACT/CCS.

The ACT Implementors have continuously monitored the situation and kept the ACT Co-ordination office informed for the past several months. They have plans and structures prepared to immediately implement emergency food distribution to vulnerable and marginalized families, in addition to drought recovery assistance in the form of seeds, tools and repairs to water sources. Frequent discussions and coordination meetings are held among the Implementors to share plans and information and to ensure optimum utilization of limited resources, as well as for maximum cooperation and coordination in the field.

ACT/NCCK and ACT/CCS will work in clearly demarcated areas. NCCK will provide emergency assistance in 6 areas comprising 9 districts and CCS will provide emergency assistance in 4 areas composed of 4 districts. NCCK has further agreed to coordinate the overall programme.

Training and Reinforcement of Implementing Capacity
ACT/UMCOR will provide management, technical and implementation expertise through the provision of a 'Drought Emergency Manager', who will be officially seconded to NCCK and CCS. This person will work with the director of the NCCK development unit and the executive director of CCS to strengthen the Implementors* capacity and to provide training for future emergency management. Additionally this person will insure programmatic and financial accountability to the ACT Network, working through established NCCK and CCS structures. The salary and related support costs for this position are included within the NCCK budget appeal.

The revised project period is for a period of 5 months (01 May - 30 September 1997). Following this period it is anticipated that significant crops will be harvested and the need for emergency drought relief minimized.

Areas, districts and beneficiaries have been determined according to need and the Implementors* capacity for implementation and monitoring in their targeted areas. The distribution of food has been standardized between the Implementors to focus on family units with an average of 5 persons per family unit. The appeal will provide the below listed quantities of relief food to targeted beneficiaries for a 4 month distribution period.
*40,000 Persons
*8,000 Families
*12kg Maize/Person/Mo
*1kg Beans/Person/Mo

In addition to the distribution of this relief food, the appeal will provide an estimated 120 MT of seeds for distribution by ACT/CCS within their targeted areas, as well as provide for the repairs to 20 water sources within the areas assisted by NCCK and CCS.

UPDATED DROUGHT BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Kenya is one of the sub-Saharan countries repeatedly affected by recurrent drought. Some reports indicate that the drought cycle in Kenya is approximately five years.

The drought in 1991/92 was a result of failure of three successive rains. The failure of successive rain in 1990, 1991 and 1992 resulted in serious food shortages, pasture degradation, and water shortage. The most affected areas were the northern and eastern regions of Kenya. As a result, the pastoral community was forced to move out of their traditional areas. Large numbers of livestock were also concentrated at very few water points and surrounding pasture areas. Additionally reports indicate large numbers of livestock were lost during the 1991/92 drought.

In addition to the drought, the devaluation of the Kenyan shelling during 1991/92 severely affected the purchasing power of the marginal people. The overall scarcity of food in the markets was a large contributing factor in the seriousness of the drought problem during 1991/92.

Neighboring countries faced similar problems, especially the southern parts of Ethiopia and Somalia where large number of livestock died. The tribal conflict over water and pasture caused insecurity within the mentioned areas.

During the 1991/1992 drought, victims were assisted by the Government of Kenya and humanitarian organizations. The NCCK and CCS played an active role in providing assistance within their areas of operation. Local purchase of foodstocks was very limited during this period and as a result, food was imported.

Following five years of gradual recovery from the previous drought, Kenya again was faced by serious drought in 1996/1997. The insufficient short rainfall in the fall of 1995 and the partial failure of the 1996 main rainfall (March -June), followed by similarly inadequate short-rains in late 1996 (Oct. - Dec.) has led Kenya into emergency drought conditions. This drought has resulted in failure of the Maize crop, poor pasture conditions, and lack of water in many areas. The pastoral areas in the northern and north-eastern Kenya are most seriously affected including the districts of Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, Manderaand Marsabit. In these areas high rate of Malnutrition has also been reported.

A report from the Eastern province livestock project indicates that approx 50 %of cattle have died during this drought. The report from the UNDP has also indicated that in parts of the major maize producing areas of the Central and Eastern Provinces, as much as 90% yield reduction has been registered. The price of maize has risen to levels so high that the families cannot afford to purchase essential food. A large proportion of the marginal population has used alternative coping mechanisms such as relocation to other areas and reduction of food intake.

During January 1997, reports indicated movement of over 10,000 pastoralists and their livestock into areas of Ethiopia, searching for sources of water and pasture. At the same time the drought situation in the southern parts of Ethiopia bordering Kenya and Somalia continued to worsen.

The combination of failure of the maize crop, losses of large numbers of livestock, low livestock market prices, and the high price of maize within the local market eroded the marginal peoples* purchasing power. Cattle rustling,especially in Moyale, Marsabit, and Tana River districts aggravated the situation. The assessment team has substantiated that external assistance is needed in order to help the marginal people who have no purchasing power or access to other resources.

According to the WFP estimate, the country will require about 770,000 MT of maize between February to September 1997. In this report it was also indicated that most of the requirements will have to be met through commercial importation by the private sector.

Humanitarian organizations are assisting the victims through their programs and capacity. The WFP has continued and is planning to expand the School feeding programme. The Kenya Red Cross has distributed food for about 2500 displaced people and UNICEF has distributed 900 MT of Sorghum. The government of Kenya is also distributing food, although in a less than adequate manner or amount. Despite efforts, the needs of marginalized and vulnerable families in all areas of Kenya are not presently met.

CURRENT DROUGHT SITUATION
The main 1997 rainfall in Kenya has started on time and covered all areas. From the discussions held with the local church leaders, NCCK and CCS staff, government officials and NGOs working in the areas we visited, the country has received sufficient rain thus far this spring. The farmers have planted crops, although there are serious concerns that farmers had insufficient supplies of seed and that all areas may not be planted. In some areas the Government and CCS have assisted in seed distribution.

In many areas, farmers have insufficient amounts of cabbage for consumption at this moment and not enough to cover the needs for the family. At the same time, the farmers are working hard in their fields without a sufficient food diet. Continuation of this will generally deteriorate the physical condition of the people and farm activities.

The water resources in the pastoral areas are replenished and the pasture availability has improved. Despite the availability of water and pasture, large numbers of livestock continue to die. According to the report from Eastern Province livestock project the new grasses emerging are high in protein and very low in carbohydrate. Livestock surviving after the long dry season are unable to tolerate the high protein grass, subsequently increasing the death rate.Although the rain has come and the pastures are improving it will take some time until the surviving livestock will produce milk and the overall condition of livestock improves to pre-drought levels.

The combination the above described factors will make the marginal people dependent on external assistance during the coming months, especially the upcoming months of May and June, which are very critical period for the subsistence agricultural-dependent community and the pastoralist population. The harvest from this season can only be collected after September 1997. Therefore a minimum of 4 months emergency assistance is required.

The following summary of information is derived from the "Kenya Vulnerability Update" of March and April 1997 from USAID and WFP.

a)Prediction is for near normal rainfall in western Kenya, while drought-hit pastoral and marginal agricultural areas will experience below normal rainfall.
b)Recent assessments reveal lack of significant land preparation attributed to unreliable rainfall and inability of farm households to purchase seed.
c)Assessments indicate exceptionally poor conditions in drought prone Kajiado district and surrounding areas, with an apparent increase of child malnutrition.
d)Purchasing power throughout Kenya is being severely eroded by declining terms of trade, low productivity of livestock and declining retail prices of cattle amidst rising prices of cereal grains.
e)Widespread planting has occurred in the Easten, Central and Western provinces, although the needs of resource-poor households are not being met due to a lack of available seeds and resources. Bean seeds were not provided by the government, which will cause a below normal bean crop.
f)The government of Kenya (GoK) has expanded its relief program to include 51 of the country*s 63 districts, although GoK relief food disbursements are largely in areas close to district headquarters and have supplied only a minor portion of the required daily food allowance.

g)WFP has commenced emergency operations in some targeted areas and expanded the school feeding program.
h)Limited NGO interventions are underway in districts throughout Kenya.

ACT/NCCK (National Council of Churches of Kenya)
The NCCK was founded in 1943 with the prime objective of bringing together members of different Protestant Churches in Kenya. Its efforts were aimed at enhancing Christianity and championing the rights and freedom of the Kenyan people. Then known as the Christian Council of Kenya, it was in the forefront during the struggle for Kenya's independence. It has since continued to fulfill its role of speaking for the voiceless. Today the NCCK comprises a broad spectrum of 33 member churches from all parts of the country and has been involved in a wide range of relief and development activities since the early 1960's. The Council has implemented relatively large famine relief operations during the 1983/84 and1992/93 droughts.

Beneficiary Information
NCCK will target 24,000 individual beneficiaries (4,800 family units) for the provision of relief food in 5 regions of Kenya comprising 9 districts. Selection criteria for the beneficiaries will target the most needy and will consider the following factors:

Crop - Growers
Nomads (Pastoralist)
Rainfall
Agriculture input (Seed, Tools)
Pasture

Area under crop
Water
Pest/disease
Livestock disease
Food crop production
Condition of livestock
Price & supply of major food grains & livestock
Daily products
Grain vs. Livestock terms of trade
Price & supply of food
Grains & livestock
Household food stocks
Grain vs. Livestock terms of trade
Migration of some family members
Livestock death
Asset brought for sale
Migration pattern (normal, abnormal)
Nutritional status
Herd composition
Morbidity/Mortality
Mobility/Mortality

ACT/NCCK will identify the most needy beneficiaries through local committees at targeted distribution sites who will be organized and facilitated by the NCCK district coordinators and committees. The district coordinators will be supervised by NCCK regional coordinators and centers. Monitoring will be conducted by 2 site distribution monitors at each distribution site.

Distribution Information

Stated Needs

1. 1152 MT of maize and 96 MT of beans for 24,000 people for 4 months
2. Repair parts and materials for 10 water sources
3. Primary and secondary transport
4. Temporary storage requirement
5. Personnel, administrative and operational requirements

Implementation Timetable

01-15 May Selection of Beneficiaries
01-15 May Establishment of local committees and district coordinators
01-15 May Tender and procurement of first shipment of relief materials
01-15 May Recruitment of project staff
15 May First delivery of relief food in Tana River and Samburu districts
01 June First delivery of relief food in remaining districts
01 June - 15 Sept Continued implementation, distribution, documentation & monitoring
30 Sept Evaluation, Audit, Reporting

Co-ordination

NCCK, working together with its member churches and CCS, has established a 'National Drought Task Force' with representative church membership from across Kenya including CPK, CCS, Presbyterian, Methodist, Reform Church of Africa, and other church congregations. The task force has provided assessment, co-ordination and monitoring of the drought emergency needs throughout Kenya, serves to collect information on the general situation within respective localities, and acts as a liaison with all agencies at national, regional and district levels. The task force will continue to provide its co-ordination,monitoring and liaison functions during the implementation of the ACT drought assistance.

Notes

1. NCCK has not pre-positioned any relief supplies or materials
2. Relief supplies and materials will be obtained through local sources
3.The current high market cost and scarcity of beans may result in NCCK utilizing the budget line item funds designated for procurement of beans for additional purchase of maize, which will be distributed within NCCK regions in accordance with established beneficiary criteria.

ACT/NCCK BUDGET

I. Emergency Relief Commodities, Materials, Transport

II. Emergency Program Staff, Administration, Operational Costs

Notes:
1.Current Exchange Rate: USD1.00 = 52 Kenya Shillings (Kshs)
2.NCCK may choose to apply vehicle rental cost towards purchase and provision of a project vehicle.
3.Budgeted funds for beans may be utilized for purchase of additional maize if market cost is excessive and availability scarce.

ACT/CCS (Christian Community Services of Mt. Kenya East)
Christian Community Services of Mt. Kenya East (CCS) was established in 1979 as the non-profit, community based development agency of the Kenya CPK (Church of the Province of Kenya - Anglican). CCS implements a wide variety of development oriented activities throughout 8 districts of central and northeastern Kenya.CCS programs are community based and their structure utilizes 6 stations whichare administered through a centralized program headquarters. The CCS board of directors is selected by the synods of Embu and Kiriyaga Dioceses. Main activities include agriculture, livestock and water development programs, community health, and education development.

Beneficiary Information
ACT/CCS will target 16,000 individual beneficiaries (3,200 family units) for the provision of relief food in 1 region of Kenya comprising 4 districts. In addition, CCS will target the most vulnerable crop-growers in their region and districts for provision of an estimated 120MT of seeds for planting during the fall season. Selection criteria for the beneficiaries will target the most needy and will consider the same factors as NCCK.

ACT/CCS will identify the most needy beneficiaries through local community relief committees at targeted distribution sites who will be organized and facilitated by the station coordinators and committees. The station coordinators will be supervised by the CCS executive director and headquarters staff. Monitoring will be conducted by 2 site distribution monitors at each distribution site.

Distribution Information - Relief Food

Distribution Information - Agricultural Seeds

Eastern All CCS Districts According To Need (Est.) 5,000

Stated Needs

1. 768 MT of maize and 64 MT of beans for 16,000 people for 4 months
2. 120 MT (Estimated) of Agricultural Seeds for 5,000 beneficiary families
3. Repair parts and materials for 10 water sources
4. Primary and secondary transport
5. Temporary storage requirement
6. Personnel, administrative and operational requirements

Implementation Timetable

01-15 May Selection of Beneficiaries
01-15 May Tender and procurement of first shipment of relief materials
01-15 May Recruitment of distribution monitors
15 May First delivery of relief food in all CCS districts
15 May - 15 Sept Continued implementation, distribution, documentation & monitoring
30 Sept Evaluation, Audit, Reporting

Co-ordination

ACT/CCS, working together with its member churches and ACT/NCCK has established a *National Drought Task Force* with representative church membership from across Kenya including CPK, Presbyterian, Methodist, Reform Church of Africa, andother church congregations. The Task Force has provided assessment, co-ordination and monitoring of the drought emergency needs throughout Kenya and also serves to collect information on the general situation within respective localities and acts as a liaison with all agencies at national, regional and district levels. The Task Force will continue to provide its co-ordination, monitoring and liaison functions during the implementation of the ACT drought assistance.

Notes

1.CCS has not pre-positioned any relief supplies or materials
2.Relief supplies and materials will be obtained through local sources
3.The current high market cost and scarcity of beans may result in CCS utilizing the budget line item funds designated for procurement of beans for additional purchase of maize, which will be distributed within CCS regions in accordance with established beneficiary criteria.

ACT/CCS BUDGET

I. Emergency Relief Commodities, Materials, Transport

II. Emergency Program Staff, Administration, Operational Costs

GRAND TOTAL: $ 1,330,800

Notes:
1.Current Exchange Rate: USD1.00 = 52 Kenya Shillings (Kshs)
2.Budgeted funds for beans may be utilized for purchase of additional maize if market cost is excessive and availability scarce.

Thank you for your support.

For further information, please contact:

ACT Co-ordinator, Miriam Lutz (phone ++41 22 791 6032 or mobile phone ++ 41 89 203 6055)
or
ACT Appeals Officer, Neville Pradhan (phone +41 22 791 6035)

Ecumenical Centre, 150 route de Ferney , P.O. Box 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Phone: ++41 22 791 6033 Fax: ++41 22 791 6506 E-mail: act@wcc-coe.org Telex: 415 730 OIK CH