Kenya Red Cross appeals 10 mln USD for drought response

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) on Friday appealed for 10 million U.S. dollars to help tackle ravaging drought in several parts of the East African nation.

Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary-General Abbas Gullet told a news conference in Nairobi that the funds will help up to 340,786 people facing starvation in 13 counties.

"KRCS is issuing a revised Drought Appeal to reach up to 340,786 people, in 13 counties, at an amount of 10 million dollars. The assistance requested will focus on interventions in five key areas," Gullet said.

According to a specialized food security agency, FEWS NET, the situation is likely to deteriorate, rendering 2.4 million people food insecure by April if no urgent and appropriate action is taken.

"The effects of the drought are escalating. In December 2016, we had eight counties at the alarm stage and in less than a month since then, the number of counties has risen to 12. This should worry us all," said Gullet.

It is expected that some of these counties will slide into the emergency phase of the drought in the coming weeks.

The late onset and inadequate short rains - between October and December 2016 - has led to poor pasture and inadequate water resources in pastoral areas, which has further resulted in unseasonal migration in areas like south coastal counties that have in the past served as pasture reserve areas have been severely affected, straining the situation further.

According to the KRCS, livestock body conditions and milk productivity have continued to deteriorate in parts of the country.

Drought related livestock deaths are on the rise, negatively impacting on livestock farmers' income and access to animal products.

"We have been working with the Red Cross Movement partners, national and county governments, the corporate sector and local partners to mitigate the situation. However, more support is needed, hence, our decision to appeal to Kenyans for support," added Gullet.

The funds raised will be distributed to the worst-affected families and communities, through a Cash Transfers Programme (CTP) that empowers them financially to meet their immediate food, non-food, and income needs.

Gullet said KRCS is also carrying out a livestock destocking programme in pastoralist areas in order to cushion livestock farmers from massive livestock losses.

"So far, 882 goats and sheep and 651 2 heads of cattle have been purchased, inspected, slaughtered and distributed to vulnerable families in Tana River and Garissa (Ijara) counties," he said.

Gullet said the aim is to remove animals whose body condition is worsening, before they lose their value, die or pose a public health risk.

The animals are slaughtered and the products distributed to schools and to orphans, people living with disability, the elderly and the chronically ill.

KRCS has also distributed a total of 280 metric tons of assorted food to 15,954 people in four counties. Endit