Food Security Assessment Unit
– February 4, 1999
Food Security Highlights – January 2000
NOTE:
Due to transportation difficulties, the January Bakol Highlight cannot be issued at this time. However, a Famine Alert Flash was issued jointly with FEWS on January 26, 2000. We will issue a special Bakol January Highlight once we receive the Field Monitor’s report.
FSAU created a Food Needs estimate for southern Somalia over the period of January to July 2000.
This information was circulated in the SACB Food Security Sectoral Committee meeting in January and is available upon request.
In January, FSAU issued a Deyr Crop Establishment Focus that is available upon request. A Deyr Harvest Focus will be issued in February.
A Gedo assessment (multi-agency and inter-sectoral) will begin on February 7, 2000. A report will be issued on this assessment.
Lastly, the annual East African Climate Outlook Forum, on the Gu 2000 season, will begin on February 7, 2000.
A special Rain Watch will be issued on this event.
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Bay Region
Gedo Region
Juba Valley Region
Lower Shabelle Region
Middle Shabelle Region
Hiran Region
Cowpea Belt Region
Togdheer, Sanaag and Sool
Northwest and Awdal
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Bay Region
General Situation
The region hasn’t received any rain in all districts. It is the norm for rains to not occur during this month of the year. The temperature rose up and became windy; it has decreased the water availability.
People and livestock within the region are concentrated in agricultural zones, where fodder and food stocks are available, especially in the Baidoa district. In addition, there is movement from neighboring regions, such as Bakol and Gedo.
The late-planted crops (sorghum) are not promising. Due to moisture stress, early-planted crops began to be harvested.
No pest, insect and bird damage has been observed, except for slight damage from wild pigs. Due to the missing rains in the last dekad of December, the expected yield will be below normal, especially for late-planted crops.
In January, overall, livestock condition was normal, although cattle body weight is declining. Food stock availability improved this month compared to the previous months, due to harvesting and food aid distribution from WFP.
Therefore, prices of staple food (sorghum and maize) have been positively effected. However, prices of imported commodities are still high, because of the closure of the main road between Mogadishu and Bay plus the scarcity of fuel.
The self-employment opportunities, such as the sale of water, teashops and petty trade, are normal in Baidoa and Dinsor towns, whereas the remaining districts are below normal. Also, agricultural employment chances are limited.
The region is calm and stable this month.
Rainfall
No rains have occurred in the region this month, which is fairly normal. The temperature is high and windy, which is typical for the dry season. A water availability crisis may begin in the coming months.
Crops
The late-planted crops (sorghum) are not promising, due to moisture stress.
Most of them will not reach the grain formation, thus be used as fodder for the livestock. However, the early planted crops (late October) began to be harvested and no pest, insect, and bird damage has been noted, except for slight damage from wild pigs. It is foreseen that the harvest will be below the projected production estimates made during the crop establishment, due to the failure of late planted crops.
Livestock
In general, livestock condition is normal, although cattle body weight began to decline in some parts of the region.
There is movement of livestock from the Bakol and Gedo regions. Also, there is inter-movement of people and livestock within the region heading toward agricultural areas.
Food Stock
Food stock availability in the region improved this month, as compared to the last month, because of the harvest and the distribution of food aid in Dinsor and Baidoa districts from WFP.
Market Activities
Prices of staple food (sorghum and maize) have dropped down compared to the last months, due to the harvest and food aid distribution. Whereas, the prices of imported commodities are still high, because of the closure of the main road between Mogadishu and Bay plus the scarcity of fuel.
Also, the prices of livestock dropped slightly, due to the incoming livestock from the Bakol and Gedo regions.
Employment and Self-employment Opportunities
The self-employment opportunities, such as the sale of water and firewood, charcoal sale, teashops, and petty trade, are normal in Baidoa and Dinsor towns, but it is below normal in the remaining districts. Also, agricultural employment opportunities are limited.
Security
In general, the region is calm and stable, except for some tension in the Dinsor district.
Gedo Region
General Situation
Generally, in the rainfed areas of the region, there is severe crop failure accompanied by food shortage in much of the agro-pastoral areas. Water is also short in the northern/central areas of the region for both human and livestock consumption.
Much of the livestock suffer from poor pasture and scarcity of water. Some livestock have moved towards Bardere/El Waq areas, where better pasture availability exists. Food aid did not arrive in the region this month and food security is worrying.
The Dawa River is about empty and, currently, a substantial number of water pumps are not functioning. The Juba River is at very low level and a limited number of water pumps are functioning.
Rainfall
No rains received in the region. The general weather condition is hot with few clouds.
Pasture Condition
Livestock moved from the northern/central areas of the region to Bardera and El Waq areas and, currently, livestock is over crowded in these areas, where host communities are worried about possible animal health risks.
No pasture is easily available in the migrated areas of the region and host areas have scarce pasture availability.
Livestock Condition
Livestock condition remained poor – not recovering in the migrated northern/central areas of the region and no production is reported. In Bardera and El Waq areas livestock is fairly normal, with low productivity.
Crops:
Crops (maize) have already been harvested in the irrigated areas of the region and production records are at normal levels. In the rainfed areas, crops are at a worrying stage of failure and very poor production is expected in the early-established sorghum crops.
Employment Opportunities and Coping Mechanisms
Jobs are not easily available in the region and very little income is always expected.
Very little coping mechanisms function, with few people able to utilize them. Overall, virtually no coping strategies exist widely in the entire region.
Markets
Cereal availability increased, with prices decreasing due to the maize crop harvest in the entire region. However, outsiders (merchants) collect harvested maize and prices escalate.
The supply of imported commodities increased, but prices are still high.
Juba Valley Region
General Situation
No rains were received in the area, which is normal for this time of year. However, water, pasture and grazing conditions are currently average. Livestock body weight, and milk and meat production are also average, with no major diseases reported.
The reported red water disease troubling cattle in Badhadhe still poses a problem in areas, but it is on the decline. The late-planted crops, especially maize, have experienced severe moisture stress. This was more so in rainfed areas than in dheshek cultivation.
Sesame cultivation was very high this season and is now being harvested. The price of maize is high in rainfed areas, but normal in dhesheks.
An unidentified plane flying over Afmadow and Hagar districts, that generated a great deal of noise and might have released unidentified chemicals, was reported again for the fourth time since 1997. This recurring activity has created a sense of fear amongst the local population of air pollution, environmental degradation, and other negative impacts on the health of both humans and livestock.
Rainfall
No rains were received in the region, which is normal.
Also, the level of the Juba River is very low.
Pasture and Water
Water, pasture and grazing conditions throughothe region are considered to be average. Water is still available in water catchments, with normal accessibility and prices.
Livestock
With the availability of water and pasture, livestock body weight, and milk and meat production are considered to be normal. No major outbreak of livestock diseases was observed, except the reported red water disease effecting cattle in Badhadhe district.
The disease does still exist in the area, but its spread is now in decline. However, in the long term, these cases might develop into chronic cases. Lack of veterinary drugs and services in the area creates major difficulties with simple and curable animal diseases.
Crops
Due to the delayed planting, as a result of delayed rains, the most critical stages for crops, in terms of water requirements (flowering and grain filling stages), coincided with the prolonged dry spell (late December to all of January).
This has dramatically reduced the expected output (yield) per unit area, particularly for maize. The moisture stress on crops was more severe in purely rainfed areas than in dhesheks and more in late-planted crops than in early-planted crops. In early to mid January, sowing activities of new crops, mainly maize, in dhesheks were in the process.
However, harvesting of sesame is almost over with normal production.
Household cereal stocks
The poor wealth groups from agro-pastoralists and pastoralists have a shortage of household cereal stocks throughout the region, particularly those in Sakow and Badhadhe districts. In eastern Sakow, where former clan fighting took place, ICRC conducted free food distribution of around 80 to 100 MT to poor households in early January.
Markets
The price of local maize in rainfed areas is high ranging from Ssh80,000 to 120,000 per 50kg bag, with a low supply. However, in riverine areas the price of maize is considered to be normal ranging from Ssh40,000 to 60,000 per 50kg bag.
The prices of imported food commodities remain high, but stable.
The price of livestock, mainly cattle, in the local markets is considered to be normal.
IDPs
No major displacement and migration is taking place in the area. However, in Bu’aale there are former IDPs mainly from Bay and Sakow areas, because of the successive crop failure in their original locations.
Health and Nutrition
WHO and UNICEF carried out the Polio Eradication Campaign Program Phase II from the 16th to 18th of January throughout the Juba valley. The main human ailments observed are malaria, respiratory infections, and tuberculosis, with malaria developing resistance against chloroquine drugs.
Lack of medical drugs and services is the major concern in the area. Malnutrition cases were observed among the poor agro-pastoral and pastoral groups in the area.
Lower Shabelle Region
General Situation
No rains were received in the month of January, which is normal for this time of year. Water, pasture, and grazing conditions are considered normal.
Consequently, animal conditions, in terms of health, production, reproduction and body weight are normal.
Early planted crops (sorghum/maize) in the rainfed and irrigated areas are in good condition and close to maturity or have already been harvested. The areas damaged by the rain floods were replanted. Heavy infestation of insects on rainfed sesame has been observed.
Household cereal stocks in the rainfed areas remains scarce, while irrigated area stocks were considered adequate.
Maize prices remained low throughout the region, while that of sorghum is high in all local markets.
Rainfall
No rains were received in January, which is normal for the Jilaal. Northeastern monsoon winds are blowing throughout the region. Cumulus clouds were seen in the last dekad of the month.
Water Availability
Water availability is normal.
Most water catchments have dried up. People and animals are dependent on wells and the river as a source of water.
Pasture and Grazing Condition
Pasture and grazing conditions are much better than normal, because of the late deyr rains. However, the scarcity of water has limited their accessibility.
Livestock Condition
Overall, animal conditions are considered to be good.
An animal disease (GUI) reported in Qoryoley and Marka area in the previous month has subsided. Seasonal migration of animals has started. Livestock production, in terms of milk, meat and ghee, is normal.
Crop Condition
Early planted crops (sorghum and maize) in the rainfed areas are in good condition, and are close to maturity, especially Wanle Weyne and parts of Afgoye districts.
However, late-planted crops are under moisture stress.
Irrigated crops are in normal condition, and the area damaged by rain floods has been replanted with maize and sesame. High fuel prices have limited replanting in certain areas. Harvesting activities have started in various areas.
Heavy insect infestation in rainfed sesame has been observed, which resulted in yield reduction and a complete crop failure in some areas.
Household Cereal Stocks
Household cereal stocks in the rainfed areas remain scarce.
But, stock availability in the irrigated areas is adequate, although food gaps is imminent in the area damaged by the floods.
Coping Mechanisms
Agricultural employment activities (planting, weeding, harvesting, and guarding) are still available in the irrigated areas, while they are scarce in the rainfed areas. Other sources of employment exist.
Displacement/Migration
The level of displacement and migration is normal throughout the region. An inflow of people from inland regions has began, possibly due to security and hardship conditions.
Market Prices
Maize prices remained low in all local markets, and supply condition is on the average.
The prices of sorghum remained high because of poor supply and availability.
Health and Nutrition
Health and nutrition situations are normal, which means that medical services and drugs are not normally available.
Security Situation
Overall, the security situation is considered normal, although clan fighting was reported in Kurtun Warrey, since the first dekad of January.
Middle Shabelle Region
General Situation
Rainfall was not received across the region this month. The weather remains hot and dry, as characterized by the dry Jilaal season.
Pasture and water availability in the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas remains normal, although the effect of the dry season is evident, which may negatively influence the availability of pasture and water in the near future. Similarly, livestock condition, in terms of milk and meat production, remains also normal.
As a result of the Jilaal, the watering frequency for cattle has increased, while for camel and goats the frequency remains unchanged, because they are more tolerant than cattle in terms of water. Thus, they are in a better condition because of the possibility of browsing from trees and shrubs. No outbreak of diseases has been reported.
Lack of veterinary drugs to treat common diseases continues to be an obstacle faced by animal herders.
The crop condition is generally normal. Irrigated maize has been totally harvested in all of the three districts of the region. However, sorghum will be harvested in a few days.
Sesame crops are in the flowering stage and are doing well. Their harvesting is expected to occur in early or mid March. The harvesting of the rice crop (Jowhar) has just begun, but the bulk of the crop will be harvested in February.
Activities to hinder bird attacks of rice and sorghum are on going, although the attacks are minor this season. The river’s level remains low during this month.
The most basic foods are readily available in most markets and local warehouses are well stocked. Retail price of maize is relatively low for this time of the year.
The decline is attributed to the increase of maize supply due to the season’s harvest, while retail price of cowpea and sorghum remains the same level as the last month. Sorghum supply is still scarce in the market. Only small quantities are available.
Rainfall
Rainfall was not received across the region this month.
The weathremains hot and dry.
Water Availability
The availability of water in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas remains normal. Main sources are shallow wells, water catchments and the river.
Pasture and Grazing
Pasture and grazing conditions still remain normal, although the effect of the dry season is evident, which may change the condition from normal to poor.
Crop Conditions
Crop condition in both irrigated and rainfed areas remain normal. Irrigated maize has been totally harvested in all districts.
Sesame crop is in the flowering stage and doing well. The harvesting of sorghum will be expected within the next few days. Preliminary rice harvest (Jowhar) has just started while the bulk of the crop will be harvested in February.
The river level remains low during the month.
Cereal Stocks
Household cereal stocks in the irrigated areas are very good. Farmers are busy with the harvest and in collecting their maize crop. Rainfed farmers have no grain stocks, due to the successive crop failure in the last several seasons.
Employment/Coping Mechanisms
Traditional coping strategies, such as working as farm labor in more productive farming areas, are more common, although the high demand for these jobs means that many people are left without any employment.
Other coping strategies are the collection of firewood, charcoal production and fishing.
Market Prices
Major staple foods are available in the main markets. The supply of maize and cowpea is good, while sorghum is scarce. Local warehouses are well stocked.
The retail price of maize has decreased, due to the new harvest, while cowpea and sorghum remain at the same level as last month.
Health and Nutrition
Health and nutrition is normal. No outbreak of diseases and severe malnutrition reported.
Security Situation
The security situation in Jowhar and Balad is calm, while Mahaday is tense due to clashes that have occurred between two clans in the area. Community leaders settled the matter and the situation returned to normal.
Health and Nutrition
The nutritional status of the northern/central areas of the region is extremely poor and continuos influx of poverty stricken pastoral groups coming into the main towns are seen and recorded.
A positive health situation is lacking.
Security
The security situation of the region is one of calm and peace.
Hiran Region
General Situation
No rainfall was received this month. Pasture and grazing conditions are lacking in agro-pastoral areas and are poor in pastoral areas. The price and availability of water is normal at water points and below normal in remote areas.
Livestock condition and the production of milk and meat are below normal and will continue to deteriorate in the upcoming months of the Jilaal season. The harvesting of early crops has already finished. The harvesting of late-planted crops is occurring, but insects have attacked them, which has reduced the yield and production.
Irrigated households have cereal stocks. In contrast, other food economy groups depend on the purchase of cereal from the market.
Rainfall
No rainfall was received this month, which is normal for this time of year. Intensified solar radiation, high temperatures, low relative humidity and no cloud cover were observed, which are all the main characteristics of the Jilaal season.
Pasture and Grazing
In agro-pastoral areas, where late rains were less or lacking, pasture and grazing are extremely poor.
However, in remote pastoral areas, which have received better seasonal rainfall, pasture and grazing are less than normal and will, hopefully, accommodate herders for another two months. The price of water and its availability are normal in water points and below normal in potential grazing lands, where water sources are water catchments.
Livestock
Pasture and grazing is not allowing for the recovery of body weight of the livestock. The production of milk and meat is decreasing from time to time in relation to the dry spell periods.
Expensive maize and sorghum stalk are available in the market to feed dairy cattle, which can be an early indicator of pasture and grazing shortage at the harvest time. No outbreak of livestock diseases or death was reported this month.
Crops
There is no harvest expected in rainfed areas. Irrigated crops were late and early planted, with both seriously affected by insects, stalk borer and American bollworm resulting in the significant reduction of yield and production.
The harvest of early-planted crops is completed, while the harvest of late-planted crops is still continuing. Replanting, with maize and sesame, of flood receded areas (Jalalaqsi) took place in late December. These crops are now one month old and are performing well.
Employment Opportunities
Belet Weyne and Bulo Burti have better employment opportunities in construction and onion cultivation, than Jalalaqsi.
Self-employment has the same importance for these three districts, which primarily includes collection of bush products, with the least opportunities being in Jalalaqsi. Crop sales, in both grain and stalk from maize and sorghum, are a major source of income for irrigated farmers, as well as the sale of onions.
Market Prices and Terms of Trade
The price of maize has fallen by 30% less than normal, and sorghum prices are normal to 5% below normal. Market supplies and activities are higher than normal from the grain supply, due to the harvest and food for work contributions from CARE.
The price of cowpea and sesame has fallen by 50% compared to last month, but still higher than normal. Prices of imported commodities remain expensive in relation to the US Dollar exchange. The terms of trade remains steady after livestock prices and cereal prices have continued to decrease.
Food Security and Cereal Stock
Irrigated farmers have sufficient cereal stock for consumption.
Other food economy groups depend on purchased cereal from the market. Contributions from food for work activities from CARE coincided with the harvest and positively affected regional food security mainly in the market’s availability and household accessibility, which decreased the price of maize in a short period of time.
Health and Nutrition
Health and nutrition status in the region is normal. However, a uncommon strain of malaria, which caused the death of a number of children, was observed in the main towns.
There is fear of an outbreak of diarrhea in the upcoming months, as has occurred before in the dry periods due to the un-portable water from the hand-dug wells in the towns. UNICEF activities, which are vital in this time of year, are completely absent in this region.
Security Situation
After the death of the famous chief of the clan in the region, the security situation has deteriorated. There have been successive ambushes and road incidents, which have caused several deaths this month.
At the moment, Belet Weyne is the least secure area. The community elders and leaders are continuously trying to solve the problems.
Cowpea Belt Region
General Situation
There have been no significant rains in the central rangelands of the region. The general situation of pasture, livestock and farming is promising, as observed during a visit from the 4th until the 19th of January to different locations.
In this season, early-planted cowpeas were under harvest, affecting the market with a 50% price decrease.
Food Security
Currently, the food availability is fairly moderate in most central region markets, due to normal past rains, good pasture, sale of livestock, and a good cowpea harvest. However, there are food shortages in certain settlements. The supply trend is moderate and prices are stable, while the general activity is normal.
Some ports, like Hobyo, are being utilized for the exportation of animals and for food imports.
Rainfall
There was some light showers localized at some coastal settlements, such as Hobyo, Hara-Dhere, El Der, and Adale, which improved pasture.
Water Availability
Water accessibility for humans and livestock, which are mainly from shallow boreholes, water catchments, and Barags, is norma.
Livestock Condition
In most locations, the livestock condition is good with reliable productivity and marketability. For some locations, like Dusa-Mareb, Abudwaq, El-Bur and Elder, the condition of animals is poor, due to the shortage of rains. There is a manifestation of ticks, which causes diseases to the livestock, due to the limited veterinary services and drugs.
Pasture Grazing
In general, pasture for grazing is available at most of the central regions.
However, the capacity of certain areas poses a problem for reliable access for animal grazing.
Dry Land Farming Activities
The current status of cowpea, sorghum, watermelon, sesame, peanuts, cassava and finger millet crops is in normal to good condition for various locations. The early-planted cowpeas are under harvest.
Coping Mechanisms and Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities are limited around central regions. These communities engage in livestock herding, trading, and few fishing and farming activities.
The accessible coping mechanisms in central regions are the sale of livestock, remittances, collection of bush products, petty trade, harvesting of salt, and fishing activities, which vary from area to area.
Migration
Nomadic movements, in search for water and pasture, are normalizing as people return to their original settlements.
Market Prices
Overall, prices for most imported and, some, local commodities are stable, while milk and recently harvested cowpea prices have fallen 50% from their original cost. Due to the harvesting of early-planted cowpeas, market price of cowpeas has decreased from Ssh6,000 down to Ssh3,000 in some districts.
Health and Nutrition
Generally, the health condition in the central regions is improving gradually, since they are the areas that have received the most rain. There are certain areas that are experiencing water shortage, thus they are more vulnerable.
Major Community Needs
Besides rough and deteriorating roads, the entire population in the central region is in great need of health and education services, as well as the maintenance of existing water catchments and boreholes in the area, while at the same time establishing new ones at various locations in the central
Togdheer, Sanaag and Sool
General Situation
During January no rains were received throughout the Toghdeer and Sanag regions, which is normal during this time of year.
In Sool, the good rains received in the last deyr season have produced sufficient pasture and other resources over the key grazing lands. Consequently, the level of production and the other food security indicators continue to improve in the month. The prices of imported food commodities are dropping substantially reflecting the appreciation of the Somali Shilling against the US Dollar.
Pastoral Food Security Situation
The food security situation for most wealth groups in the region is getting better in the new year for several reasons: the rising price and demand for all marketable animal products; enhancement of trade, livestock and food exchange; food availability at all levels; and increasing household milk consumption due to ongoing goat births.
Water Availability and Accessibility
The availability and accessibility of water is normal throughout the regions, but undoubtedly there will be a severe water shortage in the Hawd lowlands, due to thousands of camel herds migrating from region V of Ethiopia, which will surely increase the price of water to unprecedented levels
.
Pasture and Water Availability
Although the dry season began at the end of December, the region is enjoying a good Jilaal season, with adequate pasture distribution and unrestricted grazing pattern of the livestock, except for few localized rangelands in the Hawd.
Similarly, the price and availability of water is normal in all ecological zones.
In the first week of January, large camel herds migrated from region V of Ethiopia and began crossing the border, due the current drought in Ethiopia. The arrival of these herds will increase livestock density in the region and, expectedly, there will be extreme overgrazing and early exhaustion of the pasture before the start of the expected Gu rains on March 21, 2000.
Livestock Condition, Production and Movement
In general, the livestock are steadily gaining weight and their health is improving. However, the camel population is suffering from acute respiratory sicknesses with a morbidity rate of 35% and mortality rate of 4%.
All other animals are normal.
The commercial off take of the livestock is increasing progressively, due to the approaching Haj; while camel milk production is dropping below last month’s level due to an increasing birth rate of lactating animals during the deyr.
Northwest and Awdal
General Situation
There were very little Heis rains in the coastal and sub-coastal areas, which was not normal. Thus, the pasture and grazing areas are limited for the normal herds as well as those migrating from Hawd/mountainous areas. Currently, the availability of water is fairly normal.
However, this will be severely tested once the herders from the Somali region of Ethiopia (Region V) arrive to coastal and sub-coastal areas.
Rainfall
Apart from scarce and unevenly distributed Dalalo showers that ended during the first week of December, the vast coast/sub-coastal plains extending from east of Berbera to Zeilac missed potential Heis showers expected this season (January), as the last portion of the normal Jilaal coastal rains.
This resulted in meager prospects for hosting huge number of herds that are used to migrating from the Hawd areas toward coastal/sub-coastal zones during the driest period of the Jilaal season (January-March)
Water Availability
Availability and access to water for both humans and livestock is comparatively much better than the situation experienced the same month of last year. However, large-scale migration of huge camel herds from region V in Ethiopia is expected to induce early drying up of private water reservoirs, located throughout the pasture rich plains neighboring Odweine of the Togdheer region.
Pasture and Grazing Availability
Shifted normal grazing patterns brought by the total failure of secondary Deyr rains in most of the potential rangelands of region V of Ethiopia is reflected by the massive migration of herds arriving day after day. This has resulted in the hastened overgrazing of the plateau extending along the Ethiopian border up to the mountainous zone in NW and Awdal regions.
The recent failure of Heis rains along the coastal/sub-coastal zones suggests further disturbance of normal grazing patterns.
Some of the herds taken previously to the coastal areas for grazing during the dry season have been driven back towards the mountainous areas. This will definitely cause bitter competition over scarce pasture/browsing resources along the mountainous and Hawd plateau. Heavier concentration of herds from coastal and Hawd invites unbalanced consumption over meager resources and reversal of coping strategies.
Livestock Condition, Production and Movement
Milk production levels observed, thus far, are estimated to match normal amounts milked during the early part of the dry season.
The shifting of normal herd management strategies is expected to induce further reduction of milk production and yields, as compared to meat production and sales of live animals.
Crop Production (Rainfed Agriculture)
The threshing of the sorghum harvest continues in most of the farms. Whereas, harvesting of few fields having standing sorghum crop continues during the month.
Income Opportunities
During the early parts of the month poor households continued to enjoy additional income and food gifts from their relatives for the Eid Al Fitri holidays. On the other hand, employment and self-employment activities, linked to both livestock export and import sales of other consumer goods, were booming.
Finally, the lifting of the trade ban with Djibouti on the 20th of January is expected to improve income opportunities and purchasing power of the local residents in the Awdal region.
Markets and TraActivities
The negative impact from the halted trade links with Djibouti, which has primarily affected about 30% of the Awdal region inhabitants (both rural and urban), has continued and become more conspicuous this month. Although this trade ban has just been lifted, the affected victims are expected to recover within the upcoming months.
The number of shoats exported in January is expected to match figures reported in December, which were close to 350,000 heads. This figure is 40% higher than the monthly export average figures for the normal months.
Diesel prices remain high, due to a standing dispute between the principal fuel importers and the government.
Currency Exchange
The exchange rate of Somaliland Shillings appreciated against the US Dollar to some extent, due to increased supply of US Dollars from the increased livestock export.
Since the peak livestock export period begins in February, it is expected that the Somaliland Shilling will continue to appreciate against the US Dollar until April 2000.
The exchange rate of the Somaliland Shilling against the US Dollar dropped from 2,850 SlSh/$1 to 2,700/$1 in the third week of January in Hargeisa, Borama, and Berbera markets.
Displacement and Migration
Figures of both the displaced and migrants found in Hargeisa, from southern Somalia and Ethiopia, are increasing daily. The nutritional status of the IDPs and recent returnees, in some of the camps assessed in January, showed high levels of malnutrition.
Health & Nutrition
There has been an increasing incidence of Malaria related sicknesses along the mountainous and coastal areas to the west and northwest of Borama. The regional authorities in Awdal made an appeal to the Ministry of Health, COOPI, WHO, and other concerned UN agencies for intervention to the curb the problem.
Rainfed Crops
Since harvesting of the deyr season crops are over, the farmers in the region began land preparation activities by using tractors and draught animals in order to benefit from the rains of the coming Gu season.
Trade and Market Activities
The trade and market activity of the month are influenced by the sharp decline of the exchange rate of US Dollar against the Somali Shilling that started on the 4th week of the month.
The rate dropped from 1 USD for 10,200 Somali Shilling in the first three weeks of the month to 1 USD for 8,500 Somali Shilling at the end of the month. This trend is caused mainly by the rising livestock sale activities for export, as the Haj period gets closer, and the exporters huge demand for the Somali Shilling, which is in short supply in livestock markets. Normally, the herders prefer the Somali Shilling instead of foreign currency.
The term of trade of rice to sheep favors herders (65kg of rice for one sheep of export quality).
Coping Mechanism
The coping mechanisms in the Hawd area were below normal, while most parts of the region were normal.
Market Price
The exchange rate slightly increased in some districts in December. Export quality animals (shoats) are gaining value from Ssh230,000 to 250,000, due to increased demand from Saudi Arabia. Sugar and rice prices have increased slightly.
Price of Food Commodities:
Commodity Price (Ssh)
One Liter of Camel milk 4,500
One Kilo of Ghee 45,000
50Kg of Rice 170,000
50Kg of Sugar 126,000
50Kg Wheat flour 145,000
Export Quality Sheep 220,000
Local Quality Sheep 180,000
The exchange rate of 1 US$ = Ssh8,500 Sool
The exchange rate of 1 US$ = Ssh8,850 Toghdeer
Health & Nutrition
The nutritional status of poor pastoral households, particularly those in the Hawd ecological zone, declined, but that of the rest of the population is normal.
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