IRC warns of Kenya 2 million acute hunger

Over two million Kenyans are presently at risk of acute hunger, the International Rescue Committee has

warned.

According to it, the unwelcome development is due to low crop production following months of droughts in parts of Kenya due to poor rainfall.

 Such is the dire situation that at the beginning of September, even the President declared the drought a national disaster following a national rainfall report.

“This drought is reminiscent of the great famine of 2011. We’re very concerned about the growing humanitarian needs as people move out of the hometowns in search of places closer to water sources. Livestock are dying and men, women and children are going hungry and thirsty. Across the eastern and southern parts of the country the rains received were as little as 51% of what is expected,” Mohammed El Montassir Hussein, IRC Kenya Country Director, said.

"Lamu Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties received amounts that were as little as 26% of normal rainfall. Turkana and Garissa are both refugee-hosting counties which put the already vulnerable refugee population at further risk given planned closure of the camps in May 2022.

“Many people living in these areas rely heavily on crops for nutrition and livelihood and the droughts have resulted in below-average crop production. Household stocks are up to 66% below average for all crops.  And this is worse in the coastal region. High food prices coupled with declining livestock prices have impacted negatively on households’ ability to buy basic necessities. Earlier than normal migration of up to 60% of livestock mainly in search of pasture and water has intensified insecurity and conflict as well as high risk of livestock diseases.

"Climate change is the main driver of the erratic and recurring droughts, and has been partly attributed to the recent locust outbreaks in East Africa, causing widespread food insecurity. Climate change also contributes to poor health outcomes. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are likely to exacerbate the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Lack of access to clean water will lead to higher incidence of diarrhea, a major cause of death for children under 5. Coupled with the destruction of fragile ecosystems, the changing climate has a profound impact on the occurrence of viruses like COVID-19 that emerge from animals.

"We must prepare for future climate emergencies, with communities given financial support and decision-making power. Local leaders (particularly indigenous populations), smallholder farmers and livestock herders already have the knowledge and experience necessary to confront this crisis.

"Future response to climate change must also be feminist, recognizing the unique and disproportionate ways women are impacted. As farmers, carers or activists, women (and women-led organizations) are central to food security and effective climate change mitigation.

"A secure aid budget, fulfilled in line with the internationally endorsed target of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI), and risk-informed financing that can be quickly deployed is critical to mitigating the impact of future shocks and investing now to tackle hunger and food insecurity resulting from climate shocks will save time, money and lives in the long run. We’re in urgent need of funding to be able to meet basic humanitarian needs and mitigate the impact of future shocks.”