©FAO Kenya

The poor performance of the ongoing short rains in parts of Kenya has led to a significant risk of drought conditions in 2017, threatening the food security of some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

The delayed onset and erratic nature of the current rains means critical pasture and water resources are not being replenished following already poor rains during the April to June 2016 rainy season. The latest data from the National Drought Management Authority and the Predictive Livestock Early Warning System – being developed by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Texas A&M University – indicates a severe lack of forage from February to the next long rains in 2017.

Those most at risk are small-scale herders in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), where livestock rearing can account for as much as 90 percent of employment and family income. With 1.3 million people in the ASAL areas already in need of food assistance (as well as an additional 200,000 people in other parts of Kenya), the poor performance of the short rains and its impact on pasture and water availability is raising concerns of deepening food insecurity in early 2017.

Early warning leading to targeted early action

Thanks to a $400,000 disbursement from FAO’s recently established Early Warning–Early Action funding mechanism, the Organization is already working with the Government to help herders in Kilifi, Kwale, Marsabit and Wajir counties to mitigate the anticipated adverse effects of the drought.

Key ministry decision-makers from the 23 ASAL counties have already participated in training on the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards, helping them identify the correct response at the right time for the most needy people, ensuring that any future emergency funds provided by county or state are used to best effect.

In January, FAO will roll out support to Livestock Market Associations to improve the management of livestock markets and encourage early offtake. Essential veterinary drugs and vaccines, as well as fast-moving spare parts for boreholes and water points are being pre-positioned.

By February, FAO and its county partners aim to have set up an emergency livestock feed supply system benefiting 10,000 households in the four counties.

But this represents just a small portion of those in need of assistance. FAO is urgently calling on resource partners to support efforts to prepare for and mitigate the effects of a possible longer lasting drought in 2017. Matching the alerts of coming drought with smart, targeted early actions means at-risk herders and farmers can protect their critical assets and continue food production, while preventing a costly humanitarian response later in 2017.

FAO’s implementing partners will include the National Drought Management Authority, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the County Governments of Kilifi, Kwale, Marsabit and Wajir Counties.

Contacts:

Piers Simpkin | FAO Representation in Kenya | +254 723 950 360 | [email protected]