2011 SEPTEMBER KAABONG

Transcription

1 Drought Bulletin KAABONG 2011 SEPTEMBER Table of Contents Page District Map 1 Drought Bulletin summary 2 Vegetation Condition/ Rainfall/ Temperature 3 Humidity / Weather forecast 4 Livestock Body Condition / Migration / mortality / abortion 5 Livestock Diseases / animals in the market/ grazing areas 6 Crops planted/ Crop Condition / Crop Yield 7 Household water / water sources / time spent / safe water 8 Malnutrition / type of food / migration of people 9 Price of Firewood, Charcoal and Labor/ Terms of Trade 10 Freedom of Movement / Coping Mechanisms 11 Seasonal Calendars 12 Page 1

2 Drought Bulletin summary for the Month of SEPTEMBER 2011 This Drought Bulletin is a representation of 8 parishes in Kaabong District, namely: Karenga and Lokori of Karenga Sub County, Lodiko, Lokanayona and Toroi of Loyoro Sub County, Lokolia and Lokerui of Kaabong Sub County, and Kasimeri of Sidok Sub County. September received above normal rains which maintained the green vegetation condition with minimal yellowing and shedding of leaves among Desert dates and Neem. The appearance of mushrooms and mosses was still above average (63%) and this is considered normal. The prediction from the Meteorological Department mentioned that there are high chances for near normal rains over several parts of Kaabong district. Besides, the general seasonal forecast during September to December 2011 season indicates high chances for near normal to below normal rains over several parts of Karamoja region. The livestock body condition improved due to improved muddy conditions and decentralization of Kraals to Sub Counties where grass was in plenty. Livestock migration was characterized by movement of over 80,000 heads of livestock from within Kaabong to Sidok Sub County in search of better pasture and dry environment, the locals benefited from milk and meat though environmental degradation was felt. The time spent by livestock to access grazing areas was at 0.6 hours because most of them were at one location. The calves mortality and abortion rates could not be ascertained but according to the District Veterinary Officer, both should be at or below 5%. Livestock diseases included Trypanasomiasis, East Cost Fever, Mange, Foot rot, Worms and Mastitis with reduction in affected numbers registered in most of them due to the vaccination, deworming and spraying exercise. Though the number of livestock in the market increased, they were still few because Pastoralists relaxed to sell them off since they had harvested some food and benefited from Cash for Work project. Bulls and cows were mostly in the market since they are used by the beef merchandise on retail for meat. Borehole usage as the main water source reduced from 62% to 55% as a result of people being busy with garden work. The time spent to fetch water from boreholes remained constant (1.5 hours) because the Water User Committees ensured that livestock were watered from the troughs. The quantity of water fetched at households decreased from 100.6L to 72.6L (10.4L/person/day) because people were busy scaring birds and piece meal harvesting. This is far below the minimum daily threshold of 15L/person/day. Cowpeas and vegetables were the most planted while most cereals were still maturing and graining. Charcoal prices remained constant (3,375 to 3,350 UGX) because of the available stocks accrued during the short dry spell in August. Due to increased consumption of fresh foods, firewood prices increased from 1,500 UGX to 2,250 UGX. Labor prices decreased from 2551 UGX to 2467 UGX because people were involved in group work with subsidized price. The Terms of Trade for Bull/Sorghum decreased, Charcoal/Sorghum increased while Labor/Sorghum remained constant. The GAM and SAM rates were at 6.1 and 1.5 respectively with wasting, stunting and underweight at a poor state. Sorghum, Maize, Wild fruits/leaves, Beans and Cowpeas were the main consumed foods. Due to reduced food stocks among households that had not yet harvested, coping strategies like Relying on hunting for food, consume less expensive cereals, reduce portion size at meal time, and reduce number of meals per day were reported. Day movement was free contrary to night movement when most households were not free due to the lootings. RECOMMENDATIONS WATER SECTOR Communities are urged to use borehole water for mainly domestic use because it is safe. The Water Department is urging Development Partners to join in the ongoing community hygiene and sanitation campaign AGRICULTURE SECTOR Farmers are urged to harvest their crops in time. Communities are encouraged to prepare their food storage structures in time. Page 2

3 Vegetation Condition Observation %HH Desert dates (Ekoteete) becoming yellow 5 Neem Tree becoming yellow 6 Desert dates (Ekoteete) shading leaves 8 Neem Tree shading leaves 9 Mosses and mushrooms are appearing 60 Due to recession in rainfall pattern and advance of dry spell conditions, Dates and Neem shed off leaves within the allowable range and yellowing is minimal. Appearance of Mushrooms and Mosses was due to moist conditions experienced as a result of receding rains. Rainfall According to satellite imageries, September received above normal rainfall amounts with the highest peak of 36mm received at the beginning of the month (dekad 25). Source: FEWSNET Temperature There was no information of Temperature due to technical faults at the Automatic Weather Station. Page 3

4 Humidity There was no information of Humidity due to technical faults at the Automatic Weather Station. Weather forecast Currently the region is experiencing intermittent rains which are now declining. The decline is expected to continue with cessation occurring around mid October. Overall there are high chances for near normal rains over several parts of Kaabong district with the probabilities:- However, it should be noted that the general seasonal forecast during September to December 2011 season indicates high chances for near normal to below normal rains over several parts of Karamoja region. Source: Department of Meteorology Page 4

5 Livestock Body Condition The livestock body condition improved as compared to August and this is due to the improvement of muddy conditions by the dry spell and the decentralization of kraals to Sub Counties created more space for pasture. This was coupled with the harvesting of nearby gardens which left gardens free for the livestock to feed on. The situation is likely to improve in October because nutritious pastures will be available. Livestock Migration During the month under review, more than 80,000 heads of livestock moved from Lomusian, Lolelia, Kalapata, Kathile, Lochom to Sidok Sub County in search of better pasture and dry environment. The nearby communities of Sidok benefited from milk and meat supplies though environmental degradation due to bush clearing and over gazing was also felt. Calves mortality / abortion (%) The Calves mortality and abortion rates could not be ascertained for September. But according to the District Veterinary Officer, the mortality rate should have been 5% or below. Page 5

6 Livestock Disease Incidence Disease Type of animals affected Location No. of animals affected Trypanasomiasis (Nagana) Cattle Karenga, Kalapata and Kapedo 17 East Cost Fever Cattle All Kraals 72 Mange Shoats All Kraals 2,678 Foot rot Shoats All Kraals 4,167 Worms Cattle and lads All Kraals 1,764 Mastitis Cattle All Kraals 67 Incidences of Trypanasomiasis, East Cost Fever, Mange, and Worms reduced due to the vaccination, spraying and de-worming exercise which was done in conjunction with the American Marines. Foot rot also reduced because livestock were relocated to Sidok Sub County where the environment was dry and spacious for the numerous livestock. Type and number of animals in the market Type of animal Number Type of animal Number Bulls 8 Bull calves 4 Cows 6 Heifer 3 Though the number of livestock brought to the market for sale increased, they are still few because more food was harvested by some households. Other programs such as Cash for Work also provided money to most households and hence no urgent need to sell off animals. Bulls and cows were mostly in the market since they are used by the beef merchandise on retail for meat. Accessibility to grazing areas The time spent by livestock to access grazing land still remained small (0.6 hours) and this is because most animals were moved to areas with salty grass in one location. Page 6

7 Type of crops planted There were no main crops planted except for vegetables and cowpeas. Farmers are urged to harvest their crops in time. Crop Condition Crop condition could not be ascertained for September. But according to the District Agriculture Officer, cereal crops were still maturing and graining. Crop harvesting is expected in October. Crop Yield No crop assessment was done in the month of September. However, this is slated for October/November. Communities are encouraged to prepare their food storage structures in time. Page 7

8 Quantity of water fetched daily per household August 2011 September 2011 Average amount of water fetched daily per household (Litres) The daily household quantity of water fetched decreased because people paid much attention to garden work like piece meal harvesting and scaring of birds. Less water was brought home for only purposes of drinking, cooking and washing cooking utensils since most household persons were busy in the gardens. Type of water sources and time spent to fetch water (hrs) Borehole usage decreased from 62% in August to 55% in September because people were taken up with garden work. This is likely to increase in October due the ongoing community hygiene sensitization. Communities are urged to use borehole water for mainly domestic use because it is safe. Development Partners are urged to support the Water Department in the continuous sensitization of communities on hygiene and sanitation. The time spent to fetch water from boreholes remained constant (1.5 hours) because of people being organized by Water User Committees with livestock being watered at different points. This is likely to increase in October because more people might use boreholes as a result of the ongoing hygiene and sanitation Safe water points This was not ascertained for the month of September. Page 8

9 Incidence of Malnutrition The GAM rate was at 6.1 and the SAM rate was at 1.5 with significant change from the previous survey. Wasting, stunting and underweight were at a poor state. For children of age 6 to 59 months, malaria and diarrhea cases decreased while acute respiratory illnesses increased. Source: DHO ACF UNICEF Nutritional Surveillance September 2011 Type of Food Eaten Most households consumed mainly Sorghum, Maize, Wild fruits/leaves, accompanied with Beans and Cowpeas. These were mainly fresh foods harvested from their gardens. Out migration of people Total number of households who migrated August 2011 September There were no major migration incidences reported in September because harvesting had started. Page 9

10 Price of Firewood and Charcoal (UGX) Firewood prices increased from 1,500 UGX to 2,250 UGX because there was demand from within as a result of increased consumption of fresh foods and ceremonial festivals during harvest that needed to use firewood for cooking. Charcoal prices remained constant (3,375 UGX to 3,350 UGX) because of the available stock during the short dry spell experienced in August. Prices are likely to increase in October if rains continue as predicted. Price of Labor (UGX) Labor prices slightly reduced because people were involved in group work with subsidized price to ensure that the harvest is done in time, Most of the labour at this moment is not in cash but repaid with labour. Terms of Trade The Terms of Trade for Bull/Sorghum decreased due to a decrease in both Sorghum and Bull prices. Sorghum prices decreased from 80,000 UGX to 60,000 UGX due to increased supply contributed by the piece meal harvest. Bull prices decreased from 800,000 UGX to 566,667 UGX because they were mainly for slaughter locally. Charcoal/Sorghum slightly increased while Labor/Sorghum remained constant and this implies that charcoal and labor dependant households still had inadequate money to purchase food for their families. Page 10

11 Freedom of Movement The month was generally peaceful with no internal raids, hence all households were freely moving during day. Night movement was restricted due to the fear of traditional enemity between the Dodoth and Turkana. The Dodoth attempted raiding the Turkana but were not successful so there was a threat and fear of retaliation by the Turkana. Coping Mechanisms Due to reduced food stocks among households that had not yet harvested, coping strategies like relying on hunting for food, consume less expensive cereals, reduce portion size at meal time, and reduce number of meals per day increased. Begging for food, sent household member elsewhere, rely on gifts of food and borrowing food on credit reduced due to piece meal harvests and cash for work from World Food Program project. This is expected to improve when all the households harvest their crops in the next month. Page 11

12 Seasonal calendars Page 12