Pastoral zones likely to suffer worse food shortages

The pastoral zones of northwestern and southeastern Djibouti are likely to experience worsening food shortages during the next six months as a result of inadequate rainfall, a famine early warning agency reported on Thursday. In the southeast, people who moved to Geustir with their livestock in August in search of pasture have still not returned to their home areas, a factor that had delayed school opening, particularly in Beyadde, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) said in its October update on Djibouti. "A long dry spell is expected from November to April and animals may concentrate on the coastal areas if the rains are good enough," said FEWS Net. In the northwest, livestock are currently concentrated on the main winter grazing areas around the valley of Weima down to the flood-prone plains (Dohda, Andaba and Agna). The current available pasture will be exhausted soon due to high population pressure, according to FEWS Net. "Serious food deficits are projected over the coming six months," it added. "The first gesture of food distribution at Balho had been done by the national Red Crescent Society." The potential food security hazards affecting both zones are related to a decrease in milk and butter production, a decline in animal condition and sales price, and a gradual increase in staple foodstuffs, FEWS Net reported. It added that a multi-agency evaluation mission should be carried out as soon as possible. Apart from the central highland zone, which received normal to above normal rainfall during Karan/Karma, the main rainy season (July to September), rainfall this year was generally below normal in Djibouti. All along the northwest and southeast border, pastoral sub-zones and pockets of the central lowland pastoral area received between 25 and 75 percent of average monthly rainfall. As a result, pasture availability was unsatisfactory in most parts of the country and it is unlikely that the existing pasture will be sufficient to sustain animals’ needs until the Diraac/Sougoum rains, which normally start in April. In Djibouti city, food security was stable, but higher than normal prices for staple and other foods (rice, sugar, oil), as well as kerosene, is still placing a major constraint on the livelihoods of poor households in the city, according to the FEWS Net report. The climate of Djibouti is hot and dry, with most of the country receiving less than 150 mm rainfall per year.