UN appeals for funds to feed hungry Kenyans

The United Nations headquarters in Kenya has kicked off a drive to collect funds to help millions of people starving in the East African nation.

“Hunger is not an option,” said Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and head of the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON), at the campaign’s launch.

“But at the moment for 10 million people it is a reality,” she added. “There is food in this country but the real problem is access.”

According to Abdi Noor of the Kenya Red Cross, food shortages have been exacerbated by a combination of failed rains and violence following the contested December 2007 presidential elections.