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Brief description of the emergency and impact
Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, declared on 9th February 2017 the on-going drought in Kenya as being a national disaster. The drought has affected 23 out of 47 counties that are all in a state of emergency. The drought situation in Kenya is predicted to last until July 2017. The late start of rains, between the months of October and November, which were unusually brief and inadequate, is the immediate cause of the current drought. The drought has had devastating effects causing persistent and widespread deficit of water, food and vegetation for livestock and humans.
The number of affected population currently stands at 2.7 million people as of February, 2017. Most affected persons are from pastoral communities residing in Arid and Semi-Arid Northern Kenya counties. Already, livestock mortality rates are at 5%. The drought has also affected crop producing regions with a predicted crop failure in coming months. Kenya Red Cross says 2.7 million people face starvation if more help is not provided.
Why is an ACT response needed?
An ACT response is needed as government and other stakeholders' drought response funding are facing significant shortfalls compounded by the fact that the number of those affected by the drought continues to rise. This response will help alleviate human suffering, prevent the decline of local sources of livelihoods and promote the right to education by supporting school retention.
National and international response
The ACT response will aim to support and supplement efforts by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Kenya Red cross, UN agencies and other development partners who are responding with food assistance, cash transfers, water trucking, repair of boreholes, and provision of livestock feeds among other emergency interventions.
County governments are responding to the emergency in collaboration with County NDMA offices to rehabilitate boreholes, position standby gen-sets, conduct water trucking and provide fuel subsidies under response activities within the water sector. Similar emergency response interventions are done by county governments in Education, Health & Nutrition, Livestock and coordination.
Despite Kenya’s government initiative to put aside USD 106,169,920 to respond to drought, the government has gone on to call all stakeholders to increase support to drought mitigation measures which has not only affected human beings and livestock but also wild animals.
ACT Alliance response
ACT members and local partners have been participating in National and County Steering group meetings
to plan for coordinated drought responses. World Renew, a member of the forum, with external support
is providing food for four months to 1,500 beneficiaries, farm inputs and restocking in Kilifi, one of the
most affected counties. Local churches have been supporting affected members within their
congregations with dry grains like maize flour, beans and rice though they are overwhelmed by the need.
Planned activities
A total of 102,171 beneficiaries will be reached by Finish Church Aid (FCA), Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) and Church World Service (CWS) in Turkana, Marsabit, Garissa, West Pokot, Kitui and Tana River
including refugee hosting populations. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) intends to
provide assistance to 2,857 HHs (approx. 17,142 individuals) spread in drought affected areas in Kilifi,
Kwale, Turkana, informal settlements in Nairobi, Isiolo North, Kisumu, and Kitui.
The planned activities include water trucking in community centres, schools and health dispensaries.
Agencies will also provide water tanks, will repair and rehabilitate boreholes and water pumps. Advocacy
and cash for work DRR activities will also be conducted. Other proposed interventions include relief food
assistance, supporting recovery efforts of farmers by providing farm inputs. LWF will also undertake
livestock recovery initiatives, food for fees and security trainings for staff during disaster.
Constraints
Food prices will increase due to drought and reduce the amount of food available at household levels.
Insecurity in some areas caused by terrorism threats or cattle rustling and other resource-based conflicts
are potential constraints. Kenya is preparing for General Elections in August, 2017. Humanitarian
assistance may be used as a tool for political mileage or the political climate may shift attention away
from the humanitarian situation.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to: Head of Finance and Administration,
Line Hempel (Line.Hempel@actalliance.org) and Senior Finance Officer, Lorenzo Correa
(Lorenzo.Correa@actalliance.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Regional Representative – Africa, Gezahegn K. Gebrehana (gkg@actalliance.org)
www.actalliance.org
