Situation Overview
- The April-May long rains have failed in most parts of Garissa district except in the Southern divisions' e.g. parts of Bura and Galmagala receiving slight showers. Eastern part of Jarajilla division had also received some rain.
- Most parts of the district have substantial amount of forage with good quality to support livestock but continue to get depleted when compared with preceding month. Depletion of forage started with areas close to water sources particularly permanent water sources.
- Water sources continue to reduce in the Northern and Eastern divisions of the district except in the Southern divisions where little rain was received and water availability continue to improve when compared with other parts of the district.
- Boreholes, river Tana, Benane springs and shallow wells of Galana Gof (seasonal river) in Modogashe remained main source of water in the Northern and Eastern division of the district.
- Household accessibility to water continues to reduce when compared with previous month. The anticipated April-May long rains have failed, most of the large water pans have dried up and forage availability has reduced around permanent water sources.
- This has forced households to be closer to their animals which trek almost 10km to watering sites.
- There is no insecurity or human displacement reported in the course of the month throughout the district. However, in the Northern divisions of the district, conflict over natural resources has been reported between Garissa and Isiolo district pastoralists in the Eastern province. Livestock have crossed to neighboring Isiolo district after the anticipated long rains failed resulting to the conflict over the right of natural resource use. There is also a border dispute between shanta abak and Abakore location of Habasweine divisions which can spark sudden problems.
- There is no serious movement of livestock but slight movement was noted in the cause of the month. The movement is resulting from depletion of pasture/browse and all the water pans drying up.
- Increased livestock prices, improved livestock health, body conditions and their products indicate a positive food security implication. All species of livestock body conditions continue to improve but there is unknown camel disease and has caused a number of camel deaths in all the pastoral-agro-pastoral livelihood zones.
- Depending on the capacity of the farmers, most of the infrastructures and pumping sets have been rehabilitated.
- No crops harvested on large scale but vegetables, and fruits are now available in Garissa main market.
- Livestock sales numbers continue to increase when compared with the preceding month. This is due to the increase in demand for cereals and the demand for meat from other parts of country.
- Cattle prices have slightly reduced when compared with preceding month. This could be attributed to a lot of animals brought for sale (over flooding the market) and the failure of the anticipated long rains. The price of both goats and sheep continue to improve when compared with the preceding month.
- Increase in livestock prices and availability of good market, improved road accessibility and rehabilitation of irrigation farms along river Tana reflects positive food security implications.
- Human health both children and adults continue to improve when compared with the preceding months. However, Dadaab refugee camps poses a threat to surrounding local centers who market their livestock and their products in these camps in order to procure their needs
- Nutritional status of children below the age of five (5) years and above one year continues to improve when compared with the previous month. This is due to improved health status and improved milk availability at household level.
CURRENT INTERVENTION MEASURES (NON FOOD)
- Restocking of pastoral destitute by various organizations e.g. Garissa Peace Committee through funding from Oxfam and Kenya Red Cross continued.
- CARE Kenya provided pumping sets to irrigation farms destroyed by flood along river Tana.
- The ministry of health carried out mobile out reaches services in rural areas which were supported by ALRMP.
- The District Veterinary officer carried out mass treatment and vaccination of livestock which was supported by ALRMP.
FOOD AID
- A reduced a mount of food aid continued to be distributed. The current numbers of beneficiaries are 91,408 which were arrived at after the KFSSG assessment carried out in February this year compared to 119,948 beneficiaries before March this year. RECOMMENDATIONS.
- Relief food should be distributed adequately (covering one division within two days).
Give support to irrigation farms along river Tana which have been devastated by short rains floods. continue to restock pastoral destitute households
- Continue to create awareness against burning of vegetation in pastoral areas.
- Frequent and continued livestock diseases surveillance should be carried out.
- Provide adequate drugs to all rural dispensaries which reflect signs of under utilization.