Anyuak Land Food Security Update

Pasture and water conditions and milk access remain good at the end of the January to April dry season, as a result of above-normal rainfall in August and September of 2006. Meanwhile, access to off-farm food sources such as fish and wild foods have now declined, signaling the onset of the hunger season that begins in full in May.

Tensions persist over increased attacks and cattle raiding from the Murle of Pibor County, located in the Pastoral Zone. The attacks have hampered dry-season movements and humanitarian activities in the eastern parts of the Eastern Flood Plains Zone. Latest updates indicate that the Murle have extended their raids across the border into Ethiopia, where they attacked Anyuak and Nuer tribes. The latest attacks were on the Anyuak on April 11 in Jor Woreda (district) of the Gambella in Ethiopia, leaving 26 people dead and 5,000 displaced, 200 houses burnt and large herds of Anyuak cattle raided. Though the situation has returned to normal following security interventions, the attacks have disrupted key livelihood activities, such as the movement of people and cattle to key grazing areas.

Persistent Murle cattle raiding remains a great threat to stability and food security in this zone. These attacks and insecurity are unlikely to cease unless an extensive disarmament of Murle pastoralists is implemented.

Meanwhile, a multi-sectoral inter-agency assessment conducted in Pochalla, Akobo, Nyirol and Wuror counties in March indicates that an estimated 10,000 people have arrived from Ethiopia in these counties since December 2006. This is not unusual, given that similar numbers of returnees have arrived from Ethiopia in the past, and their integration has been manageable. However, food and non-food assistance is essential to enable them to resettle in the shortest time possible, so as to enable them take advantage of the June-September cropping season.

Apart from the May to August hunger season, the most significant phenomenon in this zone is the relationship between the Lou Nuer and Jikany sub-tribes and the ongoing negotiations between the two over relocation of some Lou Nuer households from areas originally owned by the Jikany. These negotiations are critically important, as they determine the dynamics of peace and dry-season grazing, fishing and trade in the eastern parts of this zone. Historically, the two sub-tribes have had years of conflict, which have resulted in the Jikany being displaced from their areas and replaced by the Lou Nuer. Current negotiations are geared towards facilitating the return of displaced Jikany to their original homes. This implies that the Lou Nuer occupying original Jikany areas will need to relocate, which could be another potential source of conflict.

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