VZCZCXYZ0009
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1850/01 1180919
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280919Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1323
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 8465
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 4152
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3892
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY 2676
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA  PRIORITY
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 1263
RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001850 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/E, AF/EPS, AF/PD, EB, PRM/AF, IO 
AID FOR A/AID, AA/DCHA, WGARVELINK, LROGERS, MHESS, 
DCHA/OTI, 
DCHA/OFDA FOR GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, IMACNAIRN, KCHANNELL 
DCHA/FFP FOR JDWORKEN, JDRUMMOND, TANDERSON, DNELSON, 
SBRADLEY 
AID/EGAT FOR AA/EGAT, JSCHAFER, JTURK 
AFR/EA FOR JBORNS, SMCCLURE 
ADDIS ABABA FOR TIM STUFFT 
DJIBOUTI FOR JSCHULMAN 
ROME FOR FODAG 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH 
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER 
NSC FOR JMELINE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PHUM PREF PREL IGAD CENTCOM KE
SO, DY, ET 
 
SUBJECT:  HORN OF AFRICA, STATE - USAID HUMANITARIAN 
UPDATE NUMBER 5 
 
REF: A)STATE 27057; B)NAIROBI 00968; C)NAIROBI 01238 
D) NAIROBI 01445  E)NAIROBI 01652 
 
This is the fifth update cable in response to Ref A 
request for biweekly reports on the humanitarian 
situation in the Horn of Africa.  USAID Missions in 
Kenya and Ethiopia, REDSO (Somalia, Djibouti), and 
OFDA/ECARO contributed to this report. 
 
--------------- 
RAINFALL UPDATE 
--------------- 
 
¶1.  The widespread heavy rains experienced in the 
region during the first ten days, or dekad, of April 
subsided in the second dekad.  During the second dekad 
of April, most parts of Somalia and Djibouti, northern 
and eastern Kenya, and the eastern half of Ethiopia, 
where most of the drought-affected populations are 
found, received only light showers (from 5 to 25mm) or 
remained dry.  Most of these areas had received heavy 
rains and experienced flash floods in the first dekad 
of the month, but now seem to be facing a dry spell. 
The potential consequences of this dry spell are most 
serious in the eastern drought affected parts of the 
region, where it could result in poor development of 
pasture and agriculture. 
 
--------------- 
COUNTRY REPORTS 
--------------- 
 
¶2.  KENYA 
 
UPDATE ON THE HUMANITARIAN/DIPLOMATIC FRONT:  Heavy 
downpours in the first two weeks of April displaced 
farmers and destroyed crops in the lakeshore districts, 
while increasing the risk of diseases, such as 
pneumonia, among the livestock population.  Rains 
rendered some roads impassable, particularly in North 
Eastern Province where the infrastructure is poor. 
Consequently, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) 
reported that the April relief food distribution in the 
area was delayed by two weeks.  Rains have now subsided 
in most areas, with light showers (5 to 25 mm) reported 
in most of the drought-affected areas, allowing 
scheduled food distribution to take place. 
 
UPDATE ON THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION AND OUTLOOK: 
Latest forecasts indicate decreased likelihood of 
flooding in drought-affected areas; however, coastal 
areas may continue to receive persistent heavy rains. 
The long-rains have brought some immediate relief to 
drought-affected pastoralist areas, mainly in terms of 
water availability.  However, well-distributed and 
sustained rains during the season will be needed for 
full development of pastures and crops in all areas. 
 
From April 13 to 17, a USAID assessment team traveled 
to drought-affected agricultural areas in Kitui 
District and pastoralist areas in Garissa and Wajir 
districts.  In Kitui, the team reported that rains have 
arrived and farmers are preparing to plant.  The team 
 
 
 
recommends continuing food security programs, such as 
seed and livelihood fairs and agriculture extension 
activities.  In Garissa and Wajir, the team noted that 
rains have arrived too late to protect pastoralist 
livelihoods and continued rains and assistance are 
required for full recovery.  The team recommends 
promoting diversification of herd composition and 
animal health services to increase pastoralist 
resiliency to future shocks as well as a long-term 
alternative livelihood strategy.  Water remains a 
critical concern for both refugee and host communities 
in Wajir.  Boreholes that were operating on a 24-hour 
basis during the drought are in need of rehabilitation 
in order to mitigate further humanitarian decline if 
the current rains are poor and during future droughts. 
 
OTHER TOPICS OF SPECIAL INTEREST:  Health facilities 
reported an increase in malaria, measles, and some 
cases of cholera in North Eastern Province, 
particularly in Wajir District.  Local authorities, 
with assistance from international organizations such 
as UNICEF, appear to have the latter two incidents 
under control.  With USAID/OFDA support, UNICEF and the 
Kenya Ministry of Health will begin a measles 
vaccination campaign on April 29, targeting 560,000 
children in at-risk districts. 
 
Local and cross-border conflicts over pasture and 
cattle rustling continue unabated in Samburu, Laikipia, 
and Marsabit districts.  Local civil society 
organizations, with the help of the affected 
communities and the government, are attempting to 
address the problem through dialogue and discussions. 
However, longer-term solutions involving high-level 
government officials of the contiguous countries will 
be necessary to address the various facets of the cross 
border conflicts. 
 
¶3.  ETHIOPIA 
 
On April 20, Assistant Administrator of the USAID 
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian 
Assistance (AA/DCHA) Michael E. Hess, departed from 
Ethiopia, concluding his three-country visit to 
drought-affected areas in the Horn of Africa. 
 
UPDATE ON THE HUMANITARIAN/DIPLOMATIC FRONT:  Despite 
above normal rains in many affected areas in early 
April, rains have slowed or stopped during the last 10 
days.  Recent forecasts have been for minimal rainfall, 
when more is needed.  The above normal rains in early 
April were torrential at times, causing flash flooding 
which disrupted food distributions, destroyed homes, 
and killed animals. 
 
DONOR RESPONSE UPDATE:  USAID/OFDA continues to 
prioritize activities to meet the most urgent needs in 
pastoralist areas.  Since the last reporting period, 
USAID/OFDA has committed nearly 800,000 U.S. dollars 
(USD) to International Medical Corps (IMC) for 
emergency nutrition activities, including the 
establishment of community-based therapeutic care (CTC) 
programs in Borena Zone, Oromiya Region, and Liben and 
 
Afder zones, Somali Region.  This followed a multi- 
sectoral USG assessment of Afder and Liben zones in 
early April, where the team found that few nutrition 
programs were currently operational and good reason to 
expect that the nutritional status of children could 
deteriorate further.  IMC?s activities will support 
approximately 183,000 beneficiaries in these critical 
areas. 
 
UPDATE ON FOOD SECURITY SITUATION AND OUTLOOK: 
Pastoralist Livelihood Initiative (PLI) partners 
continue to implement already approved emergency 
response activities.  Commercial off-take of animals 
continues, but due to rains pastoralists are not as 
willing to sell animals and lower numbers are being 
purchased by traders.  Partners continue to have in 
place their revolving funds, as well as a credit scheme 
with a private bank.  This activity will last until the 
end of May, 2006, unless the drought persists, in which 
case it will be extended. Some PLI partners will 
conduct short impact assessments of their emergency 
response interventions to benefit from lessons learned. 
 
PLI partners are starting to focus more on development 
activities which were de-emphasized during the rapid 
and efficient switch to an emergency response mode. 
Partners are now focusing on finalizing animal feed 
studies, value chain analysis, rehabilitation and 
construction of livestock market infrastructure, 
training and technical assistance to Community Animal 
Health Workers. 
 
The PLI Steering Committee, chaired by the State 
Minister for Agriculture and including representatives 
from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, 
Afar, Somali, and Oromiya Regional Governments, the 
World Bank, Tufts University, and USAID/Ethiopia, met 
on Tuesday, April 18.  PLI received support from all 
steering committee members to start working on the 
harmonization of best practice guidelines for animal 
health, animal feed, and commercial off-take of animals 
to be used during emergency response activities.  The 
Steering Committee also agreed to the formation of a 
Livestock Policy Forum, which will focus on best- 
practice livestock relief interventions in pastoralist 
areas. 
 
DPPA/WFP PIPELINE:  As of April 24, the Government of 
Ethiopia?s Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Agency 
(DPPA) has reported 72 percent and 60 percent of food 
allocations were dispatched for the Somali region for 
February and March respectively.  Reported dispatches 
for the Oromiya region are higher, at 93 and 95 percent 
for February and March. 
 
Despite significant attention from the Government and 
donors as well as some reported rains during March and 
early April 2006, food security in southern Somali 
Region and Borena Zone remains critical.  Shortfalls of 
cereal food aid will continue to threaten food insecure 
populations, especially for the coming hunger-period 
(June to August)in highland areas.  Even before taking 
into account recent increases in the number of people 
 
in need of food aid from the re-assessment of needs in 
pastoral areas, an estimated 75,000 MT shortfall exists 
in emergency cereal food aid pledges between June and 
September due to the ongoing crisis in drought affected 
areas.  Food aid shortfalls are expected to widen from 
July onwards causing serious concern for drought 
affected pastoralists. 
 
Securing pledges for the second half of the year is 
critical in order to have sufficient stocks for the 
recovery phase in pastoral areas as well as to provide 
the necessary carryover for the next year Jilaal (dry) 
season that will begin as early as January 2007. 
Historically, January is the worst month for relief 
food dispatches as donors have not usually made pledges 
towards the next year's emergency appeal and the 
pipeline suffers a break.  January 2007 will be 
critical as the pastoral areas experience the start of 
the dry season and any interruption in food aid support 
could further exacerbate the vulnerable situation of 
many expected to still be recovering from the current 
drought crisis. 
 
Save the Children USA (SC/US), funded by USAID, has 
completed all February and March food transfers in Dolo 
Odo and Filtu.  The February and March transfers for 
Dolo Abay are continuing, as transportation was 
disrupted there last week because of a local holiday. 
SC/US is processing a food loan from the Emergency Food 
Security Reserve Administration (EFSRA) in order to 
begin food transfers in five new woredas (Chereti, 
Bare, Hargele, Moyale, and El Kere) in the Somali 
Region before the food arrives in country from USAID. 
Food transfers are expected to start in the five new 
woredas in May. 
 
¶4.  SOMALIA 
 
UPDATE ON THE HUMANITARIAN/DIPLOMATIC FRONT:  Rainfall 
Update ? According to USAID-supported Famine Early 
Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Rain Watch Report, 
dated April 25, the 2006 Gu (main) rainy season has 
started in most of Somalia.  In southern Somalia rains 
were generally well distributed and exceptionally good. 
Most of the southern regions received between 30 and 75 
mm with some areas receiving up to 100 mm.  However, in 
the northeastern and northwestern regions rains were 
patchy, insufficient and were unevenly distributed. 
Farmers have started planting crops, and pasture is 
regenerating in most pastoral areas. Water availability 
has also improved in many areas. 
 
The Somalia Inter-Agency Logistics Cluster met on April 
¶24.  Based on feedback, areas of concern raised by non- 
governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Somalia, 
include:  purchase of non food items, transporter 
contracting, cross border operations, tax and duty 
exemption, warehousing capacity, ECHO and UNCAS flight 
schedules, transport rates, availability of local 
suppliers in Somalia, general security and humanitarian 
access, vessel movement, among others. The U.N. 
Regional Logistics Cell has set up a website at 
www.logisticscluster.org which will cater to all 
 
countries in the Horn of Africa, as well as provide 
Sudan and Great Lakes country links. 
 
DONOR RESPONSE UPDATE:  In April, U.N. agencies 
received the following contributions:  USD 605,000 from 
Finland; USD 300,000 from Turkey; USD 851,000 from the 
U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF); and USD 
37,000 in from private, online donors.  In addition the 
U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) 
raised its contribution from USD 5.2 million to USD 6 
million. 
 
FOOD PIPELINE UPDATE:  From February to mid-April, a 
total of 25,251 MTs of FFP Title II emergency food aid 
was distributed to 1,296,818 drought-affected people in 
south and central Somalia.  This represents a 44 
percent success in comparison to targeted levels.  The 
food pipeline will remain stretched and distributions 
lower than planned at least through May.  From June to 
September the pipeline will be healthy, and barring a 
major logistical barrier, planning levels of reaching 
roughly 1.5 million drought-affected should be reached. 
 
At the request of the NSC Inter-Agency Working Group 
(IWG), USAID/FFP has drafted a food aid contingency 
plan looking at scenarios of decreased access and 
increased humanitarian need.  Further information on 
this document can be obtained from Nick Cox at 
ncox@usaid.gov. 
 
OTHER TOPICS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: On April 21, 
Mogadishu's Islamic Courts declared jihad, or holy war, 
on a militia alliance, the Alliance for the Restoration 
of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT), which is widely 
believed to be backed by the United States.  At least 
52 people were killed and hundreds displaced in 
Mogadishu in March in the bloodiest fighting in years 
between these two groups.  Reportedly, the two sides 
are repositioning forces and stockpiling weapons and 
many Mogasidshu residents are convinced new hostilities 
are imminent between the rival factions. 
 
Conflicting media reports surfaced about whether or not 
the U.S. Navy had agreed to patrol the Somalia 
territorial waters to deter piracy.  Somali Prime 
Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi told the transitional 
parliament that his government has permitted the U.S. 
Navy to patrol the coastal waters. However, the U.S. 
Navy Fifth Fleet spokesman said the U.S. Navy had no 
agreement with the Somali government. 
 
There were no reported instances of piracy or hijacking 
during this reporting period.  However, of immediate 
concern is a pending WFP-chartered 8,400 MT shipment of 
food from Mombasa, Kenya to Merka port in Somalia 
departing May 5 and arriving May 7 on the ?MV Marwan 
H?.  The shipment is one of the largest undertaken yet 
and is particularly vital for pending food 
distributions.  WFP notified the Coalition forces, 
MARLO office in Bahrain and has requested USAID to 
advocate for particular vigilance for the shipment to 
ensure safe passage and offloading of the food 
commodities. 
 
 
¶5.  DJIBOUTI 
 
Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator for DCHA, was in 
Djibouti 13-15 April during his trip to the Horn of 
Africa assessing drought conditions.  While in 
Djibouti, Mr. Hess visited the Djibouti port where he 
saw the offloading of US food aid, met with pastoralist 
communities affected by the drought, and witnessed a 
food distribution. 
 
UPDATE ON THE HUMANITARIAN/DIPLOMATIC FRONT:  Recent 
rains partially improved both vegetation and water 
resources in most pastoral livelihood zones with the 
exception of the Northwest pastoral livelihood zone 
where no rains were reported.  There is a high risk 
that the upcoming hot season, with temperatures up to 
40C and which is expected to start at the beginning of 
May, will dry out the greening pasture and browse, 
particularly in coastal areas.  Water catchments in the 
Northwest pastoral zone are nearly dry and pastoralists 
travel more than 5 kilometers in search of water.  The 
coastal belt of Arta District and the highlands of 
Tadjourah and Obock districts received significant 
amount of rains while poor rains were observed in 
Alisabieh and Dikhil districts.  This mixed picture has 
made forecasting of the current rainy season difficult. 
Current rains reportedly killed some of the remaining 
weakened animals. 
 
UPDATE ON THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION AND OUTLOOK:  The 
continuing rise in staple food prices is another 
concern to the overall food security in both urban and 
pastoral livelihoods.  FEWS NET reports that dry food 
gifts from urban communities to pastoralists in rural 
areas has decilned.  As 80 percent of food is acquired 
through purchase in pastoral areas with 100 percnet in 
urban zones, poor households in both urban and pastoral 
cannot afford to buy 100 percnet of their food 
requirements with the current high prices.  The prices 
of certain essential commodities like sugar have almost 
doubled in pastoral zones in comparison to 2003. 
 
Although some donors, including USAID, are providing 
food aid through WFP, Kuwait Relief Agency and several 
others, non-food sectors are neglected.  Emergency 
water interventions, for example, are urgently required 
in pastoral communities in the coastal areas of Obock 
and Northwest pastoral livelihood zone. 
 
---------- 
CONCLUSION 
---------- 
 
¶6.  Satellite images in mid-April indicate some 
improvement in the vegetation cover in most areas that 
have received good rains; however, vegetation 
improvements are marginal in northern Kenya, most of 
Somalia, Djibouti and southeastern Ethiopia.  Rains 
have regenerated pasture and water pans for pastoralist 
communities; however, continued assistance is required 
as it will take time for communities to recover from 
the harsh drought. 
 
 
BELLAMY