Garissa County drought early warning bulletin for September 2017

Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification

Biophysical Indicators

The average vegetation condition index for the county reduced from 28.15 to 24.18 and fall in the moderate vegetation deficit category.

The current average vegetation condition index is below the normal range of >35

Dadaab and Balambala Sub Counties are in moderate vegetation deficit with an index of 23.24 and 26.84 respectively.

Lagdera and Fafi Sub Counties are in severe vegetation deficit category with an index of 16.61 and 19.24 respectively

Township and Ijara Sub Counties are in normal vegetation category with an index of 36.87 and 37.83 respectively

Water sources currently in use are boreholes, River Tana, spring, water trucking and few water pans in the southern part of the county.

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

The livestock body condition was scored at a scale of 4-5. This indicated poor body condition. The trend was attributed to reducing pasture and browse

Milk production recorded 12.10 litres which indicate below the normal of 36 litres.

The terms of trade recorded at 46kg of maize per sale of goat.

Livestock in migration reported

The return distance to water sources for livestock increased to 19.0km when compared with previous month. Children under five years at risk of malnutrition reduced from 23.5% to 19.9%. The mid at risk levels reduced increased from 13.2% to 16.2%The moderately malnourished reduced from 12.34% to 1.86%.The severely malnourished children reduced from 4.6%. to 1.87%