Emergency response to protect breeding livestock against effects of drought and other related shocks in Erer zone ( Kubi and Lagahida woredas), Somali Region According to the Emergency Livestock Response Plan in drought affected Woredas of Somali Regional State 2019, the Somali region is endowed with a huge number of livestock resources and the livestock population is estimated well over 30 million which supports 85% of its people. The 2018 Deyr performance in Erer and Nogob zone was below normal to no rain, except pocket areas. The onset of the Deyr 2018 rains was timely, but intermittent discontinued the second half of deyr rainy window (Oct-Dec) throughout the two zones. Water schemes not recharged and no adequate moisture for the pasture of livestock and crops cultivated.

The food security and nutritional situation is deteriorating from day to day for humans and livestock. There are early and late indicators of food insecurity, the latter indicating that the situation is getting out of control, which is currently the case in Erer Zone target areas with the death of livestock, malnutrition and abnormal migration of full families. The nutritional impact is most severe on pregnant and lactating women,and on young children. According to observations by NRC’s field staff in Erer zone, people have already exhausted their normal coping mechanisms and are applying stress coping ones that are detrimental to future livelihoods and survival. 

Furthermore, internal NRC situation updates and reports such as the Dec 2018 Multi-Agency, Multi-Sector Assessment “DEYR/MEHER 2018, Erar And Nogob Zonal Report” indicated that weak physical condition and concentration of animals in few main water points and some showering rain in border to Oromia region makes them very susceptible to many opportunistic diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Contagious Caprine Pleura Pneumonia (CCPP), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), sheep and goat pox, pasteurellosis, helminthiasis, ticks and ticks- borne diseases. Therefore, large numbers of animals are very vulnerable to die if preventive measures are not taken immediately.  With the onset and progress of the long dry season of Hagaa that will start July, the situation is expected to worsen. Due to the low vaccination coverage of livestock and the limited capacity and reach of veterinary services in the Region, the Emergency Preparedness amp Response Plan for Somali Region estimates that the number of livestock population (Cattle and Shoats) in need of urgent assistance stands at target of 5,625,000 animals and support treatment for 1,125,000(20%) amp vaccination of 4, 500,000 heads (80%). Erer Zone is particularly poorly covered by veterinary services.. This project will therefore target a population for 300,000 and 6400 core breeding animals, for animal health (vaccination) and feeding, respectively. 

Following consultations with Somali Region Agriculture Task Force/Disaster Risk Management (DRM/ATF) Cluster and the Somali Regional Government, NRC proposes to work in two woredas of the most distant and severely drought-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host community Erer zone. The proposal is to assist 3,840 HH (average number of HH is 6). The proposed project aims to ensure that “Lives are saved and protected” specifically it will ensure that target households are able to protect their livelihoods base through protection of the core breeding stock.  The two results are Emergency livestock treatment (through training to community animal health workers', emergency livestock vaccination to 300,000 animals and livestock treatment through voucher system) and Supplementary feeding for core breeding livestock. NRC will ensure protection and gender issues are mainstreamed in the project in order to avoid doing harm. NRC will take into account the specific gender roles in relation to livestock care and production. As women are mostly engaged rearing the ruminant animals, the project will target more women and other vulnerable groups such as persons with disability, chronic sickness, elderly people under emergency livestock feed intervention