Majority of the Arid and Semi- Arid (ASAL) counties experienced rainfall over the first ten days of December, albeit with reduced intensity compared to November. However, most of the ASAL countries registered cessation of the October-November-December rains during the month under review, except. Consequently, all the counties were categorised under the ‘Normal’ drought phase based on the range of indicators monitored (environmental, production, access and utilization indicators fell within usual ranges).

The assessment of the impact of 2023 Long Rains on food and nutrition security conducted last July 2023 projected that the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance from October 2023 through January 2024 period would be 1.5 million due to above normal rainfall. However, negative impacts of the enhanced rainfall in some counties has undermined the food and nutrition security situation.

Response interventions by the Government and other stakeholders mitigated the negative impacts to a considerable extent. The functioning of markets as well as flow of food and other commodities is returning to normal across the ASAL counties. The planned multi-sectoral assessment of the performance of the October-December short rains on food and nutrition security will provide the actual number of people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Download the National Monthly Drought Update – December 2023