| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of recurrent of famine in Wajir district between the years 2002 -2008 despite the Government and Non-Governmental Organization intervention. The objectives of the study were: a) to find out the impact of famine on the people of Wajir District, b) to establish the nature of assistance given to the people in the district during famine period by stake-holders, c) to find out perception of the Wajir people towards the assistance given to them during famine, d) to find out the measures the people in Wajir district employ in order to manage famine effectively, and e) to assess the relationship that exists between clans living in Wajir district during famine time and their neighbors.
The study adopted descriptive survey design and data was largely descriptive by nature. The studies main aim was to find out the impact of famine on people living in Wajir district, the following factors were gathered: It emerged that 40% of the families had 6 to 10 members while 28% had 1 to 5 members. About a quarter of the families (26%) had 4 to 5 members. The average family size was eight members. The study also showed that up to 48% of respondents were employed or self employed while the others 52% were not. Concerning the form of employment, the study indicated that up to 54% of the respondents were self employed while 46% were in formal employment. The number of family members engaged in economic activities was an important factor that determined the impact of famine on the people living in the area.
The study showed that in up to 82% of the families whose respondents were employed, less that 5 of the family members were employed. Combination of income generating activities as practiced by 46% of the respondents was seen as important diversification strategy to shield the community from the impacts of famine. The people employ a variety of coping mechanisms to manage famine they included: frequent migration within the district and into the republic of Somalia more than ever before, reduction in the frequency of food intake, migration to towns including Wajir town, Nairobi and as far as Bungoma in western province.
Concerning the assistance given to the local people of Wajir, it emerged that food aid was the major assistance given by both the Government and NGOs during famine. This was reported to be 92% and 71% for both the government and the NGOs respectively. Regarding rating of the value of assistance from the government and the NGOs to the local community, the study found out that the most adequate assistance was medicine at only 8% followed by water at 6%. Communities that live in Wajir possessed a rich repertoire of responses against famine as reported by the respondents. These ranged from reducing food intake (65%) to gathering forest products (52%) such as fruits, firewood, medicine, and honey.
The study sought to understand the community's satisfaction with the manner the watering points were managed. It found that up to 70% of the respondents were not satisfied with the management of the watering points while only 30% were satisfied. About the frequency of droughts, the majority of respondents (52%) indicated that droughts were occurring twice a year. Up to 38% of the respondents reported that they were occurring once per year. The study also sought to understand the problems encountered by the people ofWajir.
The recommendations were: famine vulnerability is best tackled through institutionbuilding and strengthening the ability of government to design and implement sound propoor policies, the government to step up efforts to make its economy more climate proof through diversification, the government to take bold steps to reduce marginalization of the dry lands and incorporate them into mainstream social and economic systems, establishment of vibrant livestock market and slaughter houses in the district where pastoralists can easily sell their livestock to avoid losses, the government and its development partners to emphasize real development instead of relief. | en_US |
