Christian Children’s Fund (CCF) is assisting families in drought stricken areas of Kenya with provision of water, food and essential items, including clothing, jerry cans and utensils.
In addition, CCF is continuing its ongoing program of deep well drilling to lessen the effects of the drought and resulting famine.
Kenya has been experiencing a prolonged drought in most areas since late 2004, and the drought is projected to continue well into 2006. The result of the prolonged drought is famine, which now has affected 10 percent of Kenya’s population.
That number is expected to increase significantly during February and March, which are traditionally extremely hot, dry months in Kenya.
Nine out of 22 semi-arid and arid districts are the most severely affected.
Deaths as a result of the famine are being reported. As the drought and famine continue, it is expected that without increased intervention, children will drop out of school and deaths among the most vulnerable (children, expectant mothers and the elderly) will increase.
Specific CCF programs by district:
Marsabit Region: CCF is working in two divisions in this region, and is providing water, Unimix (a special nutritional supplement to counteract the effects of malnutrition) and beans. CCF has also transported 30 tons of food provided by the government.
Affected CCF Program Communities: Elbarta, Nyuat, Lerroki, Archers Post, Amani Pastoralists Development, Marsabit, Maikona, Iloodokilani, Emali, Migwani Family Helper Project, Mwala Integrated CFP, Wamunyu Children Development Fund, Loarenyak and Turkwel.
Samburu Region: CCF has drilled three boreholes (a fourth borehole was dry), which are providing much needed water. In addition, CCF is distributing maize, beans and supplementary feedings for malnourished children. Supplementary feedings have been increased in all 70 CCF Early Childhood Development Centers.
Eastern Region: CCF has drilled four boreholes, and is seeking Kenyan government support to drill additional boreholes.
Kilimanjaro Cluster (Kajiado, Narok and Makueni): These arid and semi-arid districts are the most harshly affected areas. Malnutrition among children under five years of age has risen in several areas such as Emali. The schools in these areas have no school-feeding programs.
CCF cluster communities have initiated feeding programs in all CCF Early Childhood Development centers and have provided food to Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (families affected by AIDS). Financial support has been provided to families in Emali, Oloolua and Ereto for the purchase of food. And food relief is also planned in all eight community areas.