Millions of Kenyans running out of food after rains fail, UN and Government warn

Three and half million Kenyans need emergency assistance after rains again failed in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa country, the Nairobi Government and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today, calling for immediate action to ease the suffering of those affected.

A comprehensive survey of the drought situation, made last month by the Government and various agencies including those from the UN, found that almost 400,000 metric tons of food aid was required to feed the millions of Kenyans affected and thousands of livestock were dying.

“Our detailed assessment found that the worst affected regions are the pastoral areas covering the northern districts of the Rift Valley and Eastern provinces, the entire North Eastern Province and parts of the Coast,” said John Munyes, Kenya’s Minister of State.

The assessment found that rates of global acute malnutrition among children under five had already risen sharply in the northeast of the country to between 18 and 30 per cent. Fifteen per cent is considered an emergency level.

“Many Kenyans – facing a fifth consecutive season of failed or poor rains – are already living on the edge, and unless donors respond immediately, we fear for the worst," said WFP Country Director Tesema Negash.

“The rains have failed, and to save lives in the coming weeks and months ahead, it is essential that both cash and in-kind contributions of food are made today to assist with WFP’s and the Government’s emergency response. Without fresh pledges, WFP will not be able to meet March needs,” he added.

The drought emergency operation was initially launched in July 2004 for six months after poor rains in eastern, southern and parts of northern Kenya left 2.3 million people in need of assistance, but repeated lack of rain over the years has forced the efforts to continue.

In December, WFP issued an urgent appeal to donors once it was clear that the rains had again failed and there was an impending aggravation of the crisis. The agency has also been working closely with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other organizations to try and alleviate the suffering.

“Families have lost their coping strategies and many Kenyans, whether they rely on livestock or marginal farming, have completely lost their livelihoods,” said Mr. Negash.