MOROTO DISTRICT DROUGHT BULLETIN REPORT OCTOBER 2012

Transcription

1 MOROTO DISTRICT DROUGHT BULLETIN REPORT OCTOBER 2012 EWPC(Eearly Warning Phase Classification Normal Alert Alarm Emergency AGRO-PASTORAL PASTORAL ALERT Trend; Stable SECTORS LIVESTOCK NORMAL CROPS NORMAL WATER NORMAL LIVELIHOODS ALERT ALERT Trend; Stable SECTORS LIVESTOCK NORMAL CROPS NORMAL WATER NORMAL LIVELIHOODS ALERT SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW The district remained at ALERT across the 2 livelihood zones; this is majorly attributed to Alarming level of global acute malnutrition that has remained since early this season with the GAM rate at 11.9%and the disease incidences(cbpp and CCPP). The livestock sector remained Normal because of the vaccination exercise carried out within the district against CBPP/CCPP and the availability of pastures and water for the livestock improved the livestock body condition. The crop sector remained also normal across the two livelihood zones because of the fairly good harvest.however, the harvest this year is lower than the previous year s harvest. The water sector was also Normal in the month of November, this was attributed to the increased borehole usage to 94%.However the borehole coverage within the district is very low at 47.2% Recommendations Crop sector - Farmers are advised to properly dry their harvest before storage. -Farmers are advised to use organic method for pest control in the store. -Farmers are advised to construct good storage facilities to avoid post harvest losses Acaricide as a control for ticks. Recommendations since the harvest is low. Water sector -Communities are advised to manage the boreholes once constructed and handed over. -Training of community pump mechanics to help in rehabilitation in case of breakdown of boreholes Page 1 This drought bulletin report is representative of Katikekile,Nadunget, Tapac and Rupa Sub Counties. Livestock sector -Communities are urged to take their animals to designated grazing areas. -Communities are advised to practice routine spraying of their animals using -Pastroalist are also advised to continue administering Anti-biotics Livelihoods sector - Increase the number of feeding centres to reduce on the defaulting rate. -Screening of children under five years of age at the health centers as they come for any illness -Screening should also be done at the community level by the VHTS so that cases are identified early enough and referred to the feeding centers.

2 LIVESTOCK CROPS WATER LIVELIHOOD VULNERABILIT Y STAGE (*) ANALYSIS OF SECTORS PER LIVELIHOOD ZONE PASTORAL AGRO-PASTORAL COMMENTS / RECOMMENDATIONS NORMAL Body condition (Normal) Livestock Migration (Normal) Disease incidence (Alert) Access to pasture (Normal) NORMAL Crops planted (Normal) Germination (NA) Plant Color (NA) Pests and diseases (Normal) NORMAL Quantity of water fetched (Normal) Borehole usage (Normal) Time to fetch (Normal) Rainfall (Normal) ALERT GAM (Alarm) Price of firewood (Normal) Price of charcoal (Normal) Price of labor (Normal) Price of bull (Normal) Price of sorghum (Emergence) Animal Market (Normal) Page 2 NORMAL Body condition (Normal) Livestock Migration (Normal) Disease incidence(alert) Access to pasture (Normal) NORMAL Crops planted (Normal) Germination (NA) Plant Color (NA) Pests and diseases (Normal) NORMAL Quantity of water fetched (Normal) Borehole usage (Normal) Time to fetch (Normal) Rainfall (Normal) ALERT GAM (Alarm) Price of firewood (Normal) Price of charcoal (Normal) Price of labor (Normal) Price of bull (Normal) Price of sorghum(emergency) Animal Market (Alert) The livestock sector has remained Normal this month. This is attributed to the vaccination exercise carried out within the district against CBPPand CCPP. The availability of pastures and water also improved the livestock body condition. The straws from the harvested crop also act as supplementary feeds for the livestock. However, tick borne diseases are generally a burden. Recommendation: Communities are urged to take their animals to designated grazing areas. Communities are advised to practice routine spraying of their animals using Acaricide as a control for ticks. Pastroalist are also advised to continue administering Anti-biotics The crop sector was generally NORMAL during the month. Farmers are harvesting their crops like sorghum, maize, pumkins, sunflower and beans. However, in Tapac and Rupa, crops were affected by water logging pest and diseases hence, lowering the quantity and quality of harvest. Recommendations Farmers are advised to properly dry their harvest before storage. Farmers are advised to use organic method for pest control in the store. Farmers are advised to construct good storage facilities to avoid post harvest losses since the harvest is low. The water sector remained NORMAL,,This is attributed to the mass sensitization on hygine promotion by the district. This trend is also expected to continue since most of the Boreholes in the district are in proper working condition. The district also plans to drill 6 more new boreholes, ASB plans to drill 2 more new boreholes. Water quality test is also being done by C&D together with the district to know the quality of water being used. Recommendation; Formation of water user committee at the water points. Communities are advised to maintained the boreholes once drilled and handed over to them Pump mechanics should be trained to handle minor rehabilitation in case of breakdown. The livelihood sector remained on ALERT; this is attributed to the fact that the high GAM rate at 11.9%, SAM 2.1% and MAM 5.5%.This is attributed to food insecurity and poor health seeking behavior within the communities. However, therapeutic feeding program has been put in place to calm down the situation. Recommendations: Increase the number of feeding centres to reduce on the defaulting rate. Screening of children under five years of age at the health centers as they come for any illness Screening should also be done at the community level by the VHTS so that cases are identified early enough and referred to the feeding centers. The overall district has remained at ALERT; this situation is attributed to the continued Alarming level of global acute malnutrition (GAM) within the communities and the animal disease incidences(cbpp and CCPP). However,vaccination is ongoing all over the district against CBPP and CCPP. The drought risk is still low since there are chances of normal condition over several places in Moroto as shown in the weather forecast for November DROUGHT RISK (*) Vulnerability Stage is the combination of the 4 sectors gages (livestock, crop, water and livelihood). The vulnerability stage, combined with the risk of drought, gives the global warning stage as presented on page 1.

3 Vegetation Condition The vegetation condition as seen above shows a greener pastures. This is attributed to the wet spelt experienced throughout the month (see weather forecast page 4) favoring the growth of pastures and providing enough water for the livestock. This improved the body condition of the livestock (see page 5). However, it was observed that the pastures have started drying as compared to last month NDVI map. Communities are advised not to burn the drying pastures to avoid shortages during the dry spelt. Page 3

4 Rainfall (mm) 84mm of rain were estimated in Moroto in October 2012.This is higher than the amount of rain received last year. This amount of rain received throughout the month favoured the growth of pastures (see NDVI map on page 3).The availability of pastures and water for the livestock improved the body condition of the animals (see page 5). However, the rainfall also damaged the road net work within the district by making the roads muddy and slippery. This affecting the transport sector. Source: FEWSNET Weather forecast KARAMOJA REGION (Abim, Amudat, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Kaabong, Moroto, Napak) Rainfall Forecast: Valid 8 7 December 2012 Several places in Karamoja region are currently experiencing wet spells. There are high chances that the current situation is likely to persist until the end of this month (November 2012). Overall, Moroto is expected to experience normal conditions over several places with the following probabilities:- It should be noted that the current rains being experienced in Karamoja region are in line with the seasonal forecast for Karamoja region that was issued by the Department of Meteorology in early September It should also be noted that El Niño conditions which have been prevailing across the tropical Pacific Basin since August 2012 have declined and are now at neutral levels, but warmer than average through until at least early The Department of Meteorology will continue monitoring these conditions continuously issue an update accordingly. Source; Department of Meteorology Page 4

5 Livestock Body Condition The livestock body condition was normal during the month of October with 83% in good condition and only 17% in fair condition. This was attributed to the aboundant pasture and water as seen in the NDVI map (see page 3).The straws from the harvested crops also help as food supplement for the livestock. However the percentage of animals in good body condition reduced from 99% to 83% for last and this month respectively. This was due to Farmers are advised to deworm and spray their livestock regularly. Livestock Migration There were no cases of livestock migration reported during the month. This was attributed to the rainfall received throughout the month making water and pastures available for livestock in a nearby grazing land. This limiting movement for search of pastures and water and in return improving the livestock body condition. The limited movement also reduced the abortion rate because of reduced stress. Farmers are advised to migrate their animals to designated grazing areas where there are aboundant pastures and water for the livestock. Source; DVO Page 5

6 Livestock Disease Incidence Disease Type of animals affected Location No. of animals affected Worm infections Goats and Cattle All sub-counties >30,000 CCPP Goats All sub-counties 20,000 CBPP Cattle All sub-counties 7,000 Pneumonia Shorts All sub-counties 20,000 Anaplasmosis Cattle All sub-counties 10,000 Babesiosis Cattle All sub-counties 10,000 East Coast Fever Cattle All sub-counties 5,000 Tick borne diseases are a menance accounting for over 50% fo livestock deaths. Endemic diseases such as CCPP and CBPP were also prevalent.. Worm infestations were reported on a large scale across all the sub-counties of the district putting the disease incidence on Alert. However, vaccination is ongoing throughout the district against CBPP and CCPP. Farmers are advised to take all their animals to vaccination points. Source; DVO aths Type and number of animals in the market Type of animal Number Type of animal Number Bulls 30 Bull calves 7 Cows 35 Heifer 20 The bulls came to that number because most of them are in good body condition which will earn the farmers good income.the cows brought to the market are either sick or non productive. Farmers are urged to sell off non productive animals. Accessibility to grazing areas (Time in Hrs) Page 6 The time taken to access the grazing land was generally normal about 1 to 2 hours.this was attributed to the constant rain received throughout the month as seen in the weather forecast (see page 5) favoring the growth of pastures. The straws from the harvested plants are also available around the homestead for the animals hence limiting movement to long grazing land and improving the livestock body condition as seen on page 5. Farmers are advised to migrate their animals to designated grazing areas.

7 Type of crops planted Varieties of crops were planted this season. Mainly maize, sorghum, beans and sunflower were dominance. These are mainly food crops that would improve the food security situation within the district. This situation is attributed to the availability of adequate rains that have been consistent throughout this season (see rainfall graph page 4) However, many planted crops are already harvested and the harvest was good though lower than the previous year s harvest. Farmers are advised to pant short term crops like vegetables as the rain is expeted to continue until the end of November(see weather forecast p. 4) Crop Condition The statistics for crop condition was not given.but reports from the District Agricultural Officer says that most crops have been harvested. The harvests have been fairly good in most parts of the district except in low land areas where the crops were affected by water logging.this was mainly in Tapac Sub County. Farmers are urged to properly dry their harvest before storage. Farmers are advised to select good seeds for next season to avoid delays in planting for next year. Source; DAO Crop Yield The crop yield was generally good except in low land areas of Rupa where crops were lost due to water logging, pest and disease. Farmers are advised to practice good post harvest handling methods to avoid post harvest losses. Training the farmers on post harvest handling practices. Farmers are advised to use organic way of pest control in the store (ash, red paper and other local methods) Source; DAO Page 7

8 Quantity of water fetched daily per household (Litres) te Average amount of water fetched daily per household September October The month registered an increase in the quantity of water fetched daily. This is because of the reduction in the garden work since the harvest season is coming to an end. Communities are advised to collect quality water mainly from the boreholes. Type of water sources and time spent to fetch water (hrs) The month registered an increase percentage of borehole usage from 90% last month to 94% this month which is a normal situation.this is attributed to the repaires of boreholes done within the district by both partners and the district. Rivers was considered an alternative source of water serving 4% of the population mainly on the hilly areas of Tapac where borehole construction is very difficult. Though the borehole usage is normal, but the borehole coverage is very low at only 47.2%. Time taken to water source by households was generally normal about 1 hour. Source; DWO Moroto Page 8

9 Incidence of Malnutrition The GAM rate was at 11.9% which is very high, severe acute malnutrition at 2.1% and moderate acute malnutrition at 5.5%.Rupa Sub County had the highest with 17.2%, followed by Katikekile with 8.2%. Outpatient therapeutic programme coverage at 65.5%.Cured rate 82.1%, defaulters rate 16%, and death rate at 1.9%. Such occurrence is attributed to the poor food security situation and poor health seeking behavior amongst communities. Nevertheless, some positive changes are expected to occur since most farmers are harvesting their crops and also in the health centers they are giving treatment to SAM cases with the support from UNICEF. Regular screening of children less than 5 years for malnutrition at the health unites and within the communities and referring them to the feeding program. Increase supplementary feeding centers to reduce the distance to reduce the high defaulting rate. Source; DHO Moroto Type of Food Eaten The month registered a variety of foods consumed by households; Beans was the most consumed food at 22%. This was followed by maize flour, Sorghum and wild fruit at 18,17and12 percent respectively. This variety of food eaten is because of the ongoing harvest which started in September and is expected to end in November. Additionally the improvement on the road net work has enable sellers to bring food items from neighboring districts (Mbale, Soroti and Katakwi) Out migration of people Total number of households who migrated September October There were no cases of out migration of people during the month. This is attributed to the availability of water and pastures for both animals and human beings. The security situation is also okay as seen in the freedom of movement (see page11). This situation is expected to change as the dry season approaches especially those who are collecting water from seasonal rivers in Tapac Sub County. Page 9

10 Price of Firewood and Charcoal (UGX) The month registered a decrease in the prices of charcoal from 3825UGX-2750UGX. This is attributed to the surplus supply of charcoal to the market because many farmers have resorted to charcoal burning since the agrcultural activities are minimal. Whereas firewood prices increased from 4375UGX-5500UGX.This was attributed to the depletion of near trees. They have to go very far to collect firewood. This is normal since their purchasing power is increased. Price of Labor (UGX) Labor price decreased from 2227UGX This was attributed to the reduction in agricultural activities. The communities have few things to do making the labor supply to be more than labor demand in the market but this is still normal. It was observed that the labor prices will still drop down as the harvest ends. Terms of Trade (ratio) Page 10 The month experienced an increase in the terms of trade for bull to sorghum from , labor to sorghum from and for charcoal to sorghum increased from This situation is attributed to the decrease in the prices of sorghum from 100,000UGX-60000UGX per 100kg. This is because most households have harvested their crops. Additionally, there are also supply of fresh foods from the neighboring districts (Mbale, Soroti and Katakwi).

11 Freedom of Movement The security situation remained calm as reported by the local authorities, 100% are free to move during the day and2% feel free to move at night. However, 98% do not feel free to move at night because robbers along the roads and raiders. Communities are advised to report any suspicion to the responsible authorities for early action. Seasonal Calendar Page 11

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