Many people in northern Kenya who make their living from rearing and selling livestock are facing a bleak and uncertain future as drought shrivels vital pastures.
Analysts believe the situation will deteriorate further in August, adding to the 880,000 people already in need of food – more than a third of the area’s population.
Tearfund is working with our long-standing partner, Christian Community Services of Mount Kenya East, (CCSMKE) to help livestock owners cope with worsening conditions.
Northern Kenya's arid landscape bears testament to the area's lack of rain. Picture: Phil James/Tearfund
With animal prices high at market and pressure growing on parched grazing lands, CCSMKE is encouraging pastoralists to sell some of their livestock.
In a trial scheme, animal owners in Kargi and Karare in Marsabit District will rent a lorry to take cattle to Nairobi for sale.
Phil James, Tearfund’s Disaster Management Officer for Northern Kenya, explained, `The aim is that the money raised will cover the transport costs and provide some extra money for buying fodder or food.
`It will also have the added benefit of selling animals before they get too weak and of reducing the pressure on the remaining pasture and water supplies.’
It’s hoped this approach will put communities in a stronger position if rains due in November and December also fail.
The drought in northern Kenya has already hit crops and food prices have doubled in the region over the past 12 months.
The short rains season last October to December was poor and the main rains from March to May were half the normal amount for the crop producing areas.
As a result, the staple maize crop is expected to fail completely and already malnutrition has jumped by up to 25 per cent in recent months in certain pockets of Northern Kenya.
As well as drought, some areas have experienced insect infestations with caterpillars damaging crops in Marsabit and Kirignyaga districts.
A crop field stripped by caterpillars. Picture: Phil James/Tearfund
In Uganda, 700,000 people are receiving food aid but generally malnutrition rates are getting worse, particularly in the north east of the country.
More than 40,000 severely malnourished children need emergency food aid and this number is likely to rise.
Over the past 12 months, crop prices have risen between 20 and 65 per cent in Karamoja, which is already one of the poorest parts of Uganda, with 82 per cent of the population living on less than $1 per day.
Tearfund is currently identifying local partners to work with so that relief activities can be scaled up later in the year.