AMUDAT OCTOBER 2013 DROUGHT BULLETIN

Transcription

1 AMUDAT OCTOBER 2013 DROUGHT BULLETIN Status: ALERT Status: ALERT Status: NORMAL Trend: Stable Trend: Stable Trend: Stable SECTORS SECTORS SECTORS Livestock Alert Livestock Alert Livestock Alert Crops Alert Crops Alert Crops Alert Water Normal Water Normal Water Normal Livelihoods Normal Livelihoods Normal Livelihoods Normal SITUATIONAL OVERVIEW The pastoral and the agro pastoral zones are in ALERT. This is mainly attributed to the livestock and crop sectors that are considered to be in Alert as a result of livestock diseases like: Brucellosis, CBPP and Tick born diseases and the poor harvest registered during this year. However, the Agricultural zone continued to be in the NORMAL stage as a result of the recently concluded harvest and the influx of food from other markets. The district projects that this situation is going to remain stable for a short period since this year s harvest was relatively low compared to that of the previous year. Rains are still occurring making water and pastures available for animals across all the livelihood zones. Recommendations: please refer to page 2. The data presented in this Drought Bulletin was collected in Amudat, Karita and Loroo Sub-counties.

2 Livestock Crops Water Livelihoods Vulnerability Stage* ANALYSIS OF SECTORS PER LIVELIHOOD ZONE Comments and Recommendations Body condition Livestock Migration Disease incidence (Alert) Access to pasture Alert Alert Alert Body condition Livestock Migration Disease incidence (Alert) Access to pastures Body condition Livestock Migration Disease incidence (Alert) Access to pasture Alert Alert Alert Sorghum planted Sorghum planted Sorghum planted Germination (Alarm) Germination (Alarm) Germination (Alarm) Plant color (Alert) Plant color (Alert) Plant Color (Alert) Pests and diseases Pests and diseases Pests and diseases Sorghum Yield ( N/A) Sorghum Yield ( N/A) Sorghum Yield (N/A) Rainfall Water fetched daily at HH Borehole usage Time spent to fetch Water Normal Normal Normal Rainfall Water fetched daily at HH Borehole usage Time spent to fetch water Rainfall Water fetched daily at HH ( Normal) Borehole usage Time spent to fetch water ( Normal) Normal Normal Normal GAM (N/A) Price of firewood Price of charcoal Price of labor Price of bull Price of sorghum (emergency) Livestock in the market Freedom of movement GAM (N/A) Price of firewood Price of charcoal Price of labor Price of bull Price of sorghum (Emergency) Livestock in the market Freedom of movement GAM (N/A) Price of firewood Price of charcoal Price of labor Price of bull Price of sorghum (Emergency) Livestock in the market Freedom of movement ALERT ALERT NORMAL Risk of Drought LOW MEDIUM HIGH The Livestock sector is in ALERT across all livelihood zones. This is mainly attributed to Brucellosis that has continued to hit the district since last year, CBPP and the tick borne infestations. The sector therefore advises on the following: Farmers are encouraged to keep their kraals clean especially during this rainy season. Farmers are encouraged to de-worm their animals and spray them against ticks. Boil milk and cook meat thoroughly and avoid eating meat carcass to reduce the effects of Brucellosis. MAAIF or any other partner dealing in animal husbandry should support in the vaccination against Brucellosis, which has hit the district since last year. Farmers are encouraged to report any disease outbreaks to the community animal health workers. The crop sector is in ALERT in both livelihood zones. This is mainly attributed to the poor harvest that was low compared to that of the previous year. Farmers and the general community are advised on the following: Avoid misusing of the little food available in none productive ventures like unnecessary traditional ceremonies. Avoid bartering food with alcoholic drinks. Farmers are encouraged to store their harvested crops well to avoid storage pests. Communities are advised to use the little harvested food sparingly and avoid unnecessary selling so as to sustain them to the next harvest period. Continuous sensitization of community on proper post harvest handling techniques. The water sector is NORMAL. All the water indicators were normal across all the zones since there was a noted improvement in the borehole coverage in the district. The sector therefore advises on the following: Communities are encouraged to use boreholes as the main source of water, especially during the rainy season. Communities are encouraged to report any borehole breakages to the water department as soon as possible so that they can be helped in time. Communities are encouraged to keep good hygiene and sanitation by digging pit latrines. The livelihood sector is NORMAL. The relative stability in the stage was as a result of the relative stability in the purchasing power though lower than the same time the previous year, and availability of food both at household and market level. Recommendations: Communities are encouraged to practice controlled bush burning as the dry spell sets in soon. Communities are encouraged to reduce tree-cutting. Communities are encouraged to dig pit latrines to improve their hygiene. With the livestock sector in ALERT, crop sector in ALERT, water sector in NORMAL, and the livelihood sector in NORMAL, the vulnerability stage was considered to be in ALERT in the Pastoral and Agro pastoral zones. The agricultural sector was considered to be NORMAL as a result of the harvest and improvement in the food basket. The risk of drought was considered to be LOW With projections from the meteorological department showing that occasional light showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue until November, (*) 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.

3 Vegetation Condition The vegetation condition is generally moderately green as seen in the NDVI maps above. This was relatively low compared to the same time the previous year as a result of the reduction in the amount of rain received during the same time periods. This explains why there was a slight increase in the amount of time taken to access grazing areas although this still considered normal at this time of the year. The natural resource department encourages the community to avoid unnecessary cutting of trees especially in Karita Sub-county and avoid uncontrolled bush burning.

4 Rainfall The month of October registered an increase in the amount of rain received (133cm) compared to the previous month (87cm) and the same time last year (81cm). Weather Forecast SEASONAL FORECAST FOR KARAMOJA NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013 All districts in the region of Karamoja are currently experiencing near normal rains which are expected to continue up to the end of the second week of November, thereafter uneven light rains are expected to set in and continue up to the end of November 2013 for the districts of Napak, Abim and Moroto. However, the districts of Nakapiripirit and Amudat are expected to continue receiving light rains up to mid December There are high chances that Kotido and Kaabong districts will receive near normal to below normal rains from the third week of November 2013 up to the end of the forecast period. It should be noted that the Department of Meteorology will continue to monitor weather conditions and inform the users accordingly. Source: Department of Meteorology, Ministry of Water and Environment.

5 Livestock Body Condition The month of October registered a reduction in the livestock body condition across all the livelihood zones as seen above. Despite the decrease, this was considered normal at this time of year. The department reported that there is going to be continuous reduction in the livestock body conditions as the dry spell sets in. Livestock Migration There were no cases of livestock migrations registered during the month. This was mainly attributed to the fact that water and pastures were readily available, the disease situation was calm and there is relative security across the district. The livestock sector expects the migrations to start as soon as the dry spell sets in. Source: District Veterinary Office

6 Livestock Disease Prevalence Disease Type of animals affected Location No. of animals affected Tick Borne Diseases Cattle All Sub Counties Not ascertained Mange Goats/Sheep All Sub Counties Not ascertained CCPP Shoats All Sub Counties Not ascertained Brucellosis Cattle All Sub Counties Not ascertained CBPP Cattle All Sub Counties Not ascertained The department registered the same set of livestock diseases as the previous month. The department also noted there was a relative reduction in the cases of tick borne diseases although cases of Brucellosis increased in the health units since animals have not been vaccinated since the disease was reported. The department continues to urge partners and MAAIF to support in the reduction of the Brucellosis outbreak. Source: District Veterinary Office Type and number of animals in market Livelihood Zone Pastoral Number of Bulls Number of Cows Number Bull Calves Number of Heifers Agro-Pastoral Agricultural There was a noted increase in the number of animals in the market. This was mainly attributed to the high demand of these animals by traders from Kenya. This also led to continued increase in the amount offered for a mature bull. Accessibility to grazing areas (Time in Hrs) As a result of the little rains received during the month, there was a noted depletion of pastures in the nearby grazing areas and as a result all the herds reported that they were taking 1 hour to access grazing areas. However, this is considered normal during this time of year.

7 Type of crops planted There were no major crops grown during the month since most of the crops were being harvested. Crop Condition This could not be monitored during the month since they were being harvested. Crop Yield The department reported that there was a relative reduction in the crop yield this year when compared to the previous year. This was mainly a result of the long dry spell experienced earlier during the year. Source: District Agricultural Office

8 Quantity of Water Fetched Daily (per household, Litres) Livelihood Zone September October Pastoral Agro-Pastoral Agricultural There was a noted reduction in the amount of water fetched during the month as seen above. This was mainly attributed to the reduction in the rains during the month. This led to a reduction in the diversity of water sources used and reduction in the water levels hence reducing the volume of water used in return. Type of water sources and time spent fetching (in Hrs) 15% 4%0% 13% 4%0% 12% 4%1% 0% 81% 83% 83% BOREHOLE PANS AND DAMS RIVER RIVER WELLS NATURAL PONDS SPRINGS LAKE OTHER BOREHOLE PANS AND DAMS RIVER RIVER WELLS NATURAL PONDS SPRINGS LAKE OTHER BOREHOLE PANS AND DAMS RIVER RIVER WELLS NATURAL PONDS SPRINGS LAKE OTHER Despite the reduction in the diversity of the water sources used during the month, boreholes continued to be registered as the main source of drinking water. The department continues to urge the community to continue using boreholes as the main source of water for domestic use and use other open water sources for watering the animals. The time taken to fetch water from boreholes was also registered to be normal at less than an hour. The department expects a continued reduction in the diversity of water sources and an increase in the time taken to fetch water as the dry spell sets in.

9 Type of food eaten Sorghum, beans, maize flour, meat, wild fruits leaves and game remained the main foods eaten across all the livelihood zones. There was a noted improvement in the number of household reporting that they were accessing food from their own harvest. This was as a result of the little harvest realized during this season. Communities are encouraged to use their food sparingly and avoid selling and using it in none productive ceremonies. Prevalence of Malnutrition This information was not readily available during the time of the analysis. Out-migration of people Livelihood Zone September 2013 October 2013 Pastoral 0 0 Agro-Pastoral 0 0 Agricultural 0 0 There were no cases of out migration of people registered during the month of October. This was mainly attributed to the availability of food at the household level and apparently the peace that is currently experienced in the district as seen in page 12 of this document.

10 Market Prices (Charcoal, Firewood, Bull, Sorghum, Labor) Charcoal There was a noted stability in the amount offered for a basin of charcoal during the month. This was considered normal at this time of the period. Firewood The price for a bundle of firewood remained relatively stable. This was also considered to be normal. People were selling this item at a higher price compared to the previous year to enable them to acquire other items in the market as a result of the low harvest. Bull price The amount offered for a mature bull remained relatively high as seen in the graph. This was mainly because of the influx of traders from Kenya who were willing to buy at high prices. Sorghum Price The month of October noted an increase in the amount offered for a bag of sorghum. The department noted that there were going to be gradual increase in the price of this item as a result of the poor harvest registered this year. Labor Price The month registered a drop in the amount offered for the hire of casual labor. This was because the demand was low since farm activities had reduced.

11 Terms of Trade (ratios) The month of October registered a drop in the bull to sorghum ratio. This was mainly attributed to the increase in the sorghum/maize price. This was also noted to be lower than the same time last year implying low purchasing power of this community compared to the previous year. The month of October registered a drop in the labor to sorghum ratio. This was mainly attributed to the increase in the sorghum/maize price. This was also noted to be lower than the same time last year implying low purchasing power of this community compared to the previous year. The month of October registered a drop in the charcoal to sorghum ratio. This was mainly attributed to the increase in the sorghum/maize price. This was also noted to be lower than the same time last year implying low purchasing power of this community compared to the previous year.

12 Freedom of Movement DAY TIME DAY TIME DAY TIME NIGHT TIME NIGHT TIME NIGHT TIME There was relative security across all the livelihood zones, with the communities reporting that they were mostly free to move during the day. However, communities also reported that they were not free to move during the night, and this was mainly attributed to trauma of the previous incidences of cattle theft reported by the Security Department. The department continued to advise communities to be vigilant, hand over guns if there are any left in the community and help in upholding the Nabilatuk resolution (where it was resolved that if you are caught in cattle theft you pay double of what you stole). Seasonal Calendars