Situation overview
- Rainfall continued during the month but with less intensity and in localised areas. Some areas did not receive any rainfall, especially in Wajir West areas bordering Eastern province including Arbajahan, Basir and Likole. Others areas received very low rainfall that had no significant impact, especially areas in Tarbaj division including Tarbaj, Gunana, Burmayow, Ogoralle and Khorofharar.
- The quantity and quality of pasture, browse and forage improved in areas that received good rains, especially in Wajir South and North.
- Water availability improved and many ponds and pans impounded water. Livestock moved away from boreholes to wet season grazing areas. There was migration of livestock to areas that received good rains, especially towards the South and North.
- Livestock body condition was fair in all the species and is expected to improve though their bodies were wasted during the successive droughts and expected to improve further.
- Diseases such as PPR, CCPP, infestation of ticks and mosquitoes were reported, especially in low land areas of Diff and Habaswein divisions. There was high infestation of pests, which were clearing vegetation, especially leaves. The pastoralists beleive it is an indication of more rains coming.
- Prices of livestock increased in all the species due to the improved body condition. Camel prices increased from Ksh7750 to Ksh8479, cattle from Ksh5820 to Ksh6084.and goats from Ksh960 to Ksh1441compared to the previous month.
- There was migration of livestock to areas that received good rains, especially towards the South and North. Migration of livestock at this time is an indicator of poor season since pastoralists normally do not migrate if the rains are good in all the areas. Some of the pastoralists also moved from areas with pests, ticks and mosquitoes.
- The main causes of morbidity and mortality were malaria, upper respiratory tract infections, intestinal worms and malnutrition. Cases of malaria and diarrhea were on increase in the health facilities.
- There were no cases of insecurity reported in all the 4 districts.
- GOK/WFP, through the lead agency Aldef, stocked food for the next two months as a result of expected El-nino. Emergency Operation Program (EMOP) has been scaled up, with proposed ration of 75% District wide. Wajir District has estimated 548,168 person and 303,000 persons are targeted under EMOP expected to continued in the next six months, however poor roads have hampered the distribution of the relief food.
- The nutrition status of children below five years (based on MUAC < 135mm measurement) improved during the month, with the percentage of those rated at risk of malnutrition dropping to 29.0% from 33.0% the previous month. This was attributed to slight improvement of availability of milk.