Drought emergency response to ensure livestock safety and water access in severely affected areas in rural Djibouti
Two consecutive failed seasons affected the northwest and the southeast border zones coupled with soaring wheat flour prices that dramatically increased the number of food insecure households. According to the preliminary results of the Emergency Food Security Assessment conducted in rural areas in May 2011, 36,000 were chronically insecure while 25,000 suffered from moderate food insecurity especially during the lean season. This situation was likely to deteriorate, with 70% - 80% of cattle having been lost to disease and starvation in the past few years, a mean purchasing power of less than 120 FDJ/day/person, the increase of flour prices by 40-50 % in most markets due to increasing international prices, lesser quality milk production and birth rates decreased. The project aimed at preserving household’s livestock through the provision of fodder and veterinary support. In addition, it intended to facilitate access to drinking water (for both human and animal consumption) by improving the water supply across most affected localities through the rehabilitation of ground water catchment facilities. DJI-11/A/34247/123.