Pastoralists destocking for survival

By Peter Orengo

A humanitarian agency is carrying out a destocking exercise in parts of Pokot and Baringo areas to shield the pastoralists from totally losing their livelihood to the persistent drought.

The project that started in April 2011 by ActionAid, and funded by the Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies, is buying ailing livestock for slaughter from families for a decent price, rather than them being forced to sell at poor market rates.

ActionAid is also providing water to nearly 50,000 people in three of the worst affected areas - East Pokot district (Rift Valley Province), Isiolo District (Eastern Province) and Garissa district (North Eastern Province).

The agency assessment report shows that population in areas such as Tangulbei, Churo, Amaya, Orus and Korossi are in dire need of assistance. ActionAid field officers reported malnutrition among women and children.

"Communities are relying on wild fruits while others have turned to livestock carcasses that dot the area. Schools without feeding programmes are losing pupils in numbers," said Dinah Nyorsok, the ActionAid programs coordinator in Tangulbei.

She said destocking is a livelihood protection mechanism that is aimed at shielding the pastoralist community from losing all their livestock and investment.

"We started by buying goats and sheep for Sh2,000, slaughter them then feed the most vulnerable members. We’re also providing meals for 10,000 children in 45 schools, helping to keep kids in education when they might otherwise be forced to drop out to search for food and water," said Ms Nyorsok.

The selected districts that face severe water shortage due to drying boreholes are being assisted through water trucking, with the support from the government and aid communities.

The cyclical nature of drought in this part of the world means it’s important to look at the long-term causes and how these can be addressed.

ActionAid said it is investing in projects which aim to support communities before drought hits, to help avoid or reduce the impact of poor rains. This might include putting in place irrigation schemes designed to ensure people can access water even in times of drought.

Owing to policies of marginalization witnessed during the last four decades, these regions have continued to lack the requisite infrastructure needed to support livestock production and marketing.

"ActionAid is responding by providing emergency food supplies and by trucking water into the community. This assistance meets essential, immediate needs. At the same time ActionAid will continue to press for the long-term solutions to Tangulbei's crisis," said Angela Wauye, ActionAid’s Food Security Program Coordinator.