Consultancy to Ascertain Influx into Nairobi Informal Settlements by Drought Affected Communities.
Background Government of Kenya has already declared a national emergency given the recurrent droughts and failed short rains and long rains. According to FEWSNET assessments and reports, an estimated 2.4 million people in Kenya ASALs are classified facing serious crisis due to inadequate food and non‐food interventions. The areas most affected are the northern and north eastern pastoral districts of Kenya. The report indicate that marked deterioration in grazing resources, coupled with severe water scarcity, has caused exceptionally long migrations, heightened clustering of livestock, and resurgence of debilitating conflict. Reduced productivity of livestock amidst rising food prices has severely compromised purchasing capacities and access to food, heightening malnutrition.
Concurrently the food prices have been constantly increasing in urban areas. As per the FEWSNET information on retail prices in Nairobi June 2011, the staple foodstuff has already increased by 112% in comparison to the start of the year. Likelihood of this situation warrants concern for the urban informal settlers who are primarily reliant on markets for accessing household food commodities. The Kenya Food Security Steering Group Short Rains Assessment survey outcomes in February 2011, close to 50 percent of overall household income was allocated to food purchases, a clear indication of heightened vulnerability due to volatility in food prices, amidst unstable labour opportunities. A large proportion of urban dwellers were unable to meet food needs on a sustained basis over an extended period, adopting instead, detrimental coping strategies such as increased child labour, skipping meals and foregoing non-food expenditures, so as to bridge significant deficits. Results from urban assessments carried out in August 2010, throughout the country suggested that at least 3.5 million persons in urban centres across all livelihoods were severely food insecure.
Anecdotal reports from the informal settlements indicate that there is a flow of communities from the drought affected areas in Kenya to urban areas such as Eastleigh, informal settlements such as Mukurus (Lunga Lunga, Kingstone, Kayaba, kwa Njenga), Krogocho, Kawangware and Eastleigh areas. However, no scientific or reliable reports have been generated to substantiate these claims. The claims also indicate that the host families are strained as they already had challenges supporting their own families due to increased food prices and life has become more difficult with additional demands to support the relatives that have moved in with them. Oxfam is interested in generating reliable information on this position so as to influence support to these communities.
- Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the assessment is to generate reliable data on the migration of drought affected communities to urban areas and to understand how the urban immigrant and the host families are coping and if additional support is required.
Audience: The report will need to be usable by Oxfam GB, Humanitarian organisations and donor communities.
Objectives • To find out the rate the rural - urban drought related migration • To identify the urban areas with highest influx • Assess the health condition of the immigrants • To assess the severity of food insecurity as a result of the influx to the immigrants as well as to the host families • To identify the impact of food insecurity on the Urban immigrant and host family children’s health • Determine if there are malnutrition cases in the public/faith based clinics and if the cases are of immigrant communities or residents of relevant informal settlements • To determine the need for an emergency response • To identify potential need for an Oxfam response. • Give recommendations based on the findings
Methodology The process will involve identifying a consultant/ team that will find these facts from the GoK Administration, Clinics particularly City council Clinics and Faith based ones, Slum village elders, Community health workers mosques and churches and other NGOs and CBOs in the informal settlements.
Consultant Tasks It is expected that the consultant will:
- Develop the relevant data collection tools.
- If available review secondary data the drought and food and fuel prices crisis as it affects Urban areas, particularly Nairobi informal settlements, and any other relevant documents that will strengthen the study.
- Recruit and train enumerators (if necessary) and address related logistical details of the enumerators.
- Interview general community, CSOs, political leaders, civil servants, private sector, Faith based organization and other relevant key informants in relevant areas in Nairobi
- The consultant is expected to establish if: • There is rural – urban migration as a result of the Drought • Which particular informal settlements are affected and if there are other areas affected • the immigrants being housed accommodated by families or institutions • The immigrant’s health is bad, improving or good • Impact of extra people on the host and how this is affecting them in the reality of increased food and fuel prices. • the administration is aware of the influx and what support is being offered • there is any support being given to the immigrant and their children to meet their basic needs
Analyse the data and consolidate a report that does not exceed 40 pages.
Outputs The primary output of the assignment will be: • Comprehensive rapid assessment report covering the objectives above. • Recommendations based on the findings of the assessment
Oxfam’s Role • Cater for field visits in terms of transport • Cater for stationery, printing and publications • Mobilisation and sensitization of partners on the process • Support mobilisation of communities and stakeholder • Accompanying the facilitators
Time frame This is expected to take a maximum of 10 days.
The proposals and expression of intent should be submitted to kenyajobs@oxfam.org.uk on 19th August 2011 by close of business.
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