Marsabit County drought early warning bulletin for August 2017

Biophysical Indicators

Rainfall: Most parts of the County didn’t receive rainfall in the month under review. However, few parts of North Horr sub-county received off season precipitation towards end of the month.

Vegetation condition: Vegetation condition index relatively remained the same where 3-month VCI posted was 31.08 and falls within the moderate vegetation deficit band. Pasture condition is fair and poor in the Agro-pastoral and Pastoral livelihood zones respectively. Similarly,
Browse condition is fair in Agro-pastoral and fair-poor in the Pastoral livelihood zone.

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

Production indicators: Body condition of livestock species have deteriorated and ranges from poor, fair and good-fair for cattle, shoats and camel respectively. Milk production per household per day plummeted to 1.3Litres which is outside the normal range. Migration of livestock was generally unusual and massive in Moyale. No cases of livestock deaths attributed to drought reported however cases of CBPP, PPR and diarrhoea were reported.

Access indicators: Household and livestock trekking distances increased across the livelihood zones. Terms of trade was non-propitious across the livelihood zones goat prices declined. Milk consumption declined at household level. Market prices for cereals were higher whereas for livestock were low and unfavourable.

Utilization indicators: Children rated at risk of malnutrition slightly increased but was within the normal range of 18.4percent. Food consumption score fell within the borderline band while coping strategy index increased hence households were more food insecure.